Essex (LHD 2) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 9 text:

Sgt Justin A, Harris FAMILY MAN, HUSBAND, AND LOVING, DEVOTED FATHER J as we called him, was always in good spirits, always encouraging and always thinking of others. I can remember the day he found out he was going to be a father, the happiness he showed was incomparable to anything. I could very well relate to that happiness having experienced it with my first bom. He immediately began planning for the arrival of the baby with numerous accessories to welcome the new life, he and his wife Chantay created. That preparation also brought him to ask my wife, Anita and I questions that sometimes caught us off guard. After the birth, there were complications with Baby Justin , near fatal. In and out of the hospital the first precious months of its life but the little fella pulled through. It was the fight and determination I most remember J for. Flying was an addiction to him, if he couldn ' t fly it was as if he had no purpose in his eyes. Music was another love. The bass was his favorite. He loved teaching as much as playing. He began to teach my son to play the keyboard. His family was always on his mind and in his heart. Never a day went by without him talking about Chantay and baby J , whom he loved dearly. From SSgt Rahatt The one thing I remember about Justin is during our Hong Kong Singapore visits, we went to Toys ' R ' Us to get that special toy for his son, a Bumper Ball , we searched high and low for it but could not find it. Justin, when I return I will make sure baby J gets that Bumper Ball ' . To Chantay The sorrow and loneliness you feel cannot ever be replaced. You are right, you were cheated , baby J was cheated out of life ' s dreams. You are not in this struggle alone, we, Anita and I, are only a phone call away and will always be there for you and baby J . Sgt Harris was known to most, and to the fellas as Tupac due to the resemblance. He would always greet with What up potna . Now I say Lata Potna for you are truly missed. Much Love.... Nate

Page 8 text:

In Memorium

Page 10 text:

I able of Contents t JJiUiA tk 8 Beginnings Embark Deploy Ship Life 20 Holidays 24 Work and Play Okinawa Sports HongKong UnrepsA ertreps Singapore EagerMace Kuwait Distinguished Visitors- Jebel Ali Nautical Mantis Iion Magic-Steel Beach- United Shield-Crossing the Line-Perth 114 Just the Facts 116 COMPHIBRON FIVE Statf-Tacron One-HC 1 1-EODMU Three- Fleet Surgical Team One- ACU Five- NAVSPECWARGRUOne