Few words can offer comfort to a family who loses their only son and brother, to a wife who loses her husband, or to a child who loses their father.
On August 20, 2003 I felt the price of Enduring Freedom –in the life of one of my most trusted friends.
Dave Tapper was a person who was always the first to volunteer, always the first to extend a helping hand and, for me, the first casualty felt in a war that many believe is already won.
Our community and our nation has lost a true hero – a man who has sacrificed his life for our country, a husband and loving father, a friend who rarely missed an opportunity to catch-up with the people who meant the most to him.
Dave always appreciated those who he experienced life with. The holidays belonged to his family and friends who never had to pull him in many directions because he always found the time to “stop by.” He appealed to many of us in different ways.
It has been said that people living deeply have no fear of death. I can assure you that Dave lived deeper than most, laughed often and achieved a great deal.
We try to make sense of his loss. We are angry, confused, vengeful and deeply saddened. We ask why but receive no answers. We want the truth that may never surface. We want to know if the life of our friend was worth it.
Dave and I had the opportunity to sit down a few moths ago after he completed his first tour in Afghanistan. He came back with stories of a people living in constant fear and confusion with little regard for the things we often take for granted.
David cared. That’s important to remember now, as we mourn his passing. He cared and believed in what he was doing. I am confident that his fellow teammates would agree.
I never had to ask him why he joined the Navy. I’d probably hear in response, “What else was I going to do?” Or “Where else can you see the world and get paid for it?” Modest, as always.
But I will always know that his reasons were genuine, his focus was precise, and his purpose was defined.
And I will never forget the miles that we ran side by side as friends and teammates. The drives to the shore or “the dungeon” before the wicker furniture. Your wedding – I remember most of it, I swear.
To me and the many, many friends you have made throughout the years I promise you will be remembered by us as a great friend, an honored sailor and a hero.
Everyday we must enjoy life to the fullest and Dave did that. When he put on his unform and went to work he not only went to work for his family but for his nation. As a member of U. S. Navy, to lose a shipmate is the hardest thing to deal with. No one knows the sacrafise that we face on a daily basis nor the danger that lies in front of us when we go away for six to twelve months. It is our wifes that keep us together and along the straight and narrow path. Ms. Tapper we all know you where a good wife. I know what you faced everyday he left because my wife has gone through it. When we see you and your kids, we see the wonderful husband and father Dave was. Dave left two families but will never be forgotten. His spirit is within all of us and we must continue to live his dream and keep his name alive. To his family, my prayers are with you daily and I pray that God's love will comfort you everyday of your lives.
Christopher Sasse
Few words can offer comfort to a family who loses their only son and brother, to a wife who loses her husband, or to a child who loses their father.On August 20, 2003 I felt the price of Enduring Freedom –in the life of one of my most trusted friends.
Dave Tapper was a person who was always the first to volunteer, always the first to extend a helping hand and, for me, the first casualty felt in a war that many believe is already won.
Our community and our nation has lost a true hero – a man who has sacrificed his life for our country, a husband and loving father, a friend who rarely missed an opportunity to catch-up with the people who meant the most to him.
Dave always appreciated those who he experienced life with. The holidays belonged to his family and friends who never had to pull him in many directions because he always found the time to “stop by.” He appealed to many of us in different ways.
It has been said that people living deeply have no fear of death. I can assure you that Dave lived deeper than most, laughed often and achieved a great deal.
We try to make sense of his loss. We are angry, confused, vengeful and deeply saddened. We ask why but receive no answers. We want the truth that may never surface. We want to know if the life of our friend was worth it.
Dave and I had the opportunity to sit down a few moths ago after he completed his first tour in Afghanistan. He came back with stories of a people living in constant fear and confusion with little regard for the things we often take for granted.
David cared. That’s important to remember now, as we mourn his passing. He cared and believed in what he was doing. I am confident that his fellow teammates would agree.
I never had to ask him why he joined the Navy. I’d probably hear in response, “What else was I going to do?” Or “Where else can you see the world and get paid for it?” Modest, as always.
But I will always know that his reasons were genuine, his focus was precise, and his purpose was defined.
And I will never forget the miles that we ran side by side as friends and teammates. The drives to the shore or “the dungeon” before the wicker furniture. Your wedding – I remember most of it, I swear.
To me and the many, many friends you have made throughout the years I promise you will be remembered by us as a great friend, an honored sailor and a hero.
Chris Sasse
Steven Kinney
Everyday we must enjoy life to the fullest and Dave did that. When he put on his unform and went to work he not only went to work for his family but for his nation. As a member of U. S. Navy, to lose a shipmate is the hardest thing to deal with. No one knows the sacrafise that we face on a daily basis nor the danger that lies in front of us when we go away for six to twelve months. It is our wifes that keep us together and along the straight and narrow path. Ms. Tapper we all know you where a good wife. I know what you faced everyday he left because my wife has gone through it. When we see you and your kids, we see the wonderful husband and father Dave was. Dave left two families but will never be forgotten. His spirit is within all of us and we must continue to live his dream and keep his name alive. To his family, my prayers are with you daily and I pray that God's love will comfort you everyday of your lives.Steven Kinney
U.S. Navy