WESTFIELD — A crowd gathered in the rain on Thursday to honor and remember Navy Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Christopher J. Chambers, formerly of Westfield.
Chambers was killed in action in January during a nighttime mission off the coast of Somalia. While his Navy SEAL team was seizing a vessel illegally transporting advanced weapons from Iran to Houthi rebels in Yemen, Chambers fell into the water between the Navy ship and the rebel ship. Neither he nor a fellow Navy SEAL who dived in to rescue him, Nathan Gage Ingram, resurfaced.
Initial press reports reversed the roles, stating Ingham had fallen and Chambers lost his life trying to save him.
Chambers, a 2005 graduate of Westfield High School, was known for his swimming prowess and his good, kind nature. He was coached by Tim Lewis and created the “Chambers Drill,” which Mayor Michael McCabe, also a swim coach, said is still used today.
During the April 11 ceremony at the Sons of Erin, Lewis’ daughters Bridget and Caroline accepted an American flag in Chambers’ honor.
The sisters recalled Chambers taking them under his wing when they were middle school swimmers hanging out at high school practice with their dad. They said they were proud to accept the flag.
“I’m overwhelmed,” said Bridget Lewis.
“I am, as well,” added Caroline Lewis. “We were younger than Chris was in school, and he always helped us.”
“He loved to throw us over the lines,” said Bridget Lewis, smiling at the memory.
“We have very fond memories of Chris and his family and are happy to be here representing our dad,” Caroline Lewis said.
Chambers’ family lives on the West Coast and was unable to attend the memorial. Chambers was a resident of Maryland.
McCabe said Chambers was a particularly fast swimmer who went on to swim at the University of Massachusetts. In addition to his local swimming achievements, Chambers’ military accomplishments were many. McCabe read off a long list of awards he had earned as a Navy SEAL.
State Rep. Kelly Pease and state Sen. John C. Velis, both of whom are military veterans, spoke about Chambers and Ingram as heroes.
“There’s a saying that all gave some, but some gave all,” Velis said. “How appropriate that is. In this world today we’re surrounded by selfishness, but I want to be like these guys. They are the epitome of selflessness, and we are lucky and blessed to have this man a part of our community and the world is blessed to have had him join the military.”
Velis spoke about the Navy SEALs, an elite military group that often quietly protects the world.
“What these guys do on a daily basis and with no fanfare so we are able to be here …” said Velis, starting to get choked up. “… We use the word ‘hero’ a lot, some may say too much, but he was a hero.”
Velis laid a brick to honor Chambers in the Sons of Erin Memorial Pathway that leads to the 9/11 Memorial, which honors three Westfield residents killed during the 2001 terrorist attacks. Pat Murphy, a member of the Sons of Erin 9/11 Committee, said when he heard of Chambers’ death, he and the committee knew they needed to honor him in Westfield.
Murphy said he moved to the United States from Ireland 55 years ago when the war in Vietnam was heightening. He made the decision to join the military and serve his new country. He said he appreciates the service of Chambers.
The Rev. Brian McGrath offered a blessing and prayer and said those of Irish heritage have a “deep memory,” and asked that when they remember Chambers, people remember not just the sadness of his death, but the joy of his life.
During the ceremony, the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery Firing Detail performed the Firing of the Volleys, Shannon Corbett sounded taps, and the American Legion Post 124 Patriot Guard Riders and Westfield Fire Department rendered salutes.
This article was originally published by a www.masslive.com . Read the Original article here. .