Heroic Navy Sailor Made The Ultimate Sacrifice To Save 'His Kids'
June 22, 2017
Navy Sailor Sacrificed His Life On The USS Fitzgerald
When US navy warship, the USS Fitzgerald, collided with a container ship off the coast of Japan, the ship began taking on water at an alarming rate. The crew had to act fast. All did so with the honor, courage and commitment befitting the Navy. And one heroic navy sailor sacrificed his own life for the sake of the shipmates he considered "his kids." [caption id="attachment_38160" align="aligncenter" width="750"] Credit: Iori Sagisawa/KYODO News/AP / US Navy[/caption] Fire Controlman 1st Class Gary Leo Rehm Jr. joined the Navy fresh out of high school in 1998. He was following in the footsteps of his grandfather, a WWII veteran.Heroic Sacrifice
The 37-year-old considered the other sailors on his ship "his kids." Every time the ship docked near his home in Virginia, the generous and easygoing guy invited "his kids" to join him for the holidays. He was just 3 months away from retirement when the collision occurred.WATCH: What Happened With The USS Fitzgerald
So, when the situation turned dire aboard the USS Fitzgerald, Gary knew what he had to do.“If my kids die, I’m going to die,” he said before heading straight for the most dangerous parts of the sinking ship.RELATED: Man miraculously catches baby thrown 10 stories during London fire Gary headed straight for the flooded compartments and began retrieving the sailors trapped there. He kept going back in, until finally the difficult decision was made to seal off the bulkheads. This brave navy sailor sacrificed his life, along with six other sailors.
“He went back to get the other ones and I guess from what I understand they had to close the hatch, because the ship was taking on water,” Stanley Rehm, Gary's uncle, said. “He died a hero trying to save the people on his ship.”[/slide]
Christ-like Love
[caption id="attachment_38168" align="aligncenter" width="750"] Credit: US Navy[/caption] Because of Gary's sacrifice, at least 20 sailors were saved. And none who knew Gary personally are surprised by his courageous actions. It's just the kind of guy he was.“When we heard that he ran in and helped save other sailors from drowning, we said that was Gary. That was Gary to a T,” said Gary’s friend Christopher Garguilo. “He never thought about himself.”As one of Gary's neighbors, Kristi Jackson experienced his generosity firsthand. When she couldn't afford food for her dogs, Gary showed up with dog food. When her car needed repairs, he leant her money to get it fixed. RELATED: Dad's final moments caught in photo before he gave his life to save his son While Gary's family, including his wife, mourn their loss, they find comfort in knowing Gary died doing what he loved.
“He loved what he did,” said Virginia Rehm, Gary's aunt. “He was a very kind-hearted, happy person who worked hard. It’s a big loss, it really is.”Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). The many sailors Gary saved will spend the rest of their lives knowing that someone loved them enough to give his life for them. And it's the same gift of love each of us have in Jesus Christ “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” Romans 5:8 h/t: Christian Headlines YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Teen Mom Makes The Ultimate Sacrifice To Save Her Unborn Baby [caption id="attachment_27580" align="aligncenter" width="750"] Credit: Facebook / In loving memory of Jennifer Michelle Lake[/caption]
Today's Devotional
A Prayer for Transforming Worry into Trust - Your Daily Prayer - October 24
Worrying does nothing to benefit our lives in any way; it only takes away. It takes away the present moments and present joy you could experience, not to mention it takes away from a peaceful life.
Today's Devotional
A Prayer for Transforming Worry into Trust - Your Daily Prayer - October 24
Worrying does nothing to benefit our lives in any way; it only takes away. It takes away the present moments and present joy you could experience, not to mention it takes away from a peaceful life.
Past Stories
- 6-Year-Old Starts 'Poop Scooping' Business to Help Animals and Adopt One of His Own
- Bride's dad Drops During Father-Daughter Dance, but Things Lined up Perfectly to Save His Life
- Young North Carolina Father Risked His Life To Save a Couple and Dog From a Sinking Truck
- UPS Driver Jumps into Action As He Spots Elderly Woman on the Ground & Says It Was All God
- Rescuer Braces for the Worst After Spotting Kitten on the Side of the Road, Then Sees a Paw Move
- AJ Griffin Gives Up High-Paying Career with NBA to Follow God
- These Former Conjoined Twins Finally Go Home After Their First Birthday
- Teenager From Iowa Uses His Flying Skills to Help Hurricane Helene Victims
- Son Saves For 9 Months and Surprises Mom By Paying Off Her Mortgage
- Woman's Home is Surrounded By 100 Raccoons, and They Aren't Leaving Anytime Soon
- Dog Saves Her Owner's Life By Sitting in the Middle of the Road
- Widower Shares the Last Thing His Wife Told Their Son Before She Passed Away From Cancer
- A Nurse Saved Her Life 35 Years Ago, Now, She is Surprising Her With a Visit
- These Twin Sisters Have An Important Message To Share On Their 102nd Birthday
- This Brave 5-Year-Old Saved Her Mother's Life By Calling 911
- 79-Year-Old Broke Her Ankle After Scattering Her Mom's Ashes, Then Strangers Save the Day
- Dad Travels Through Mud and Debris to Walk His Daughter Down the Aisle
- Owner's Trip to the Vet with Unwell Dog Results in the Craziest X-Ray
- After Getting Lost in Yellowstone, This Precious Cat Made His Way Back Home To California
- Mom's Funny Response To Daughter's Dirty Sock On The Floor Goes Viral & Ends Up Doing Good
- A Kidnapped Boy Is Found After 70 Years and Reunited With His Family
- This Puppy Was Found With a Note That Read 'Help Me,' Now He's Looking For a New Home
- Excited Mom Couldn't Wait to See Son's Back to School Pictures, but Funny Results Make Her LOL
- When This Police Officer Pulled Her Over, He Changed Her Life Forever
- She Just Met Her Vietnam Veteran Father After 50 Years, Now He is Walking Her Down the Aisle
- Fearless Father Waits on Porch to Catch the Stranger Peeking in His Daughter's Window
- This 5th Grade Teacher Eats Lunch In the Cafeteria Every Day
- Amy Grant Has a New Perspective After Losing Her 'Superpower' in Bike Accident
- 'God Did It' Says 18-Year-Old After Waking Up From a Coma Following a Crash
- These Four Sisters Share a Birthday, Which is Quite the Miracle
- Dad Harmony Sings a Beautiful A Cappella Rendition of ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love'
- Couple's Outstanding Boogie Woogie Dance Performance
- Siblings’ Cover of Dolly Parton’s Classic ‘I Will Always Love You’ Is Incredible
- Pastor and Wife Were Killed in a Car Accident, But Their Kids Have a Message of Hope
- Outstanding 'Amazing Grace' Cover Music Video by Celtic Woman
- Carrie Underwood Helps With Leading Worship at Tennessee Church
- 8-Year-Old Kid's To-Do List Goes Viral As a Wholesome Reminder for Us All
- 'Holy Forever' Lyric Video by Chris Tomlin and CAIN
- Elementary Teacher Talks About the Power of Words and Kindness By Using Toothpaste
- Prayers Pour in for Loretta Lynn's Family After the Death of the Late Singer's First Grandchild
- Dennis Quaid Singing 'On My Way To Heaven" is an Inspiring Performance
- Charming Elderly Couple Share Sweet Dance to 'Have You Ever Seen The Rain?"
- Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick Adorably Sing a Sassy Duet to Celebrate 36 Years of Marriage
- Rory Feek Performs Beautiful Tune 'I Do' After Finding Love Again
- Driver Shows Up to Deliver Pizza to Elderly Man's House, Then Comes Back with His Lawnmower
- What Parents & Grandparents Don't Know About 'Easy' Recipe Trend Could Be Dangerous
- Nearly 1,500 Students Gather to Worship Jesus at Texas A&M Revival
- 96-Year-Old Shares the Secret to a Happy Life and His Words of Wisdom Are Truly Inspiring
- In God's Divine Timing, Wedding Ring Is Returned to Man's Widow After It's Lost for 60+ Years
- Rock Singer's Powerful Rendition of 'I Will Always Love You'
Top Music Videos
CCM Magazine Steven Curtis Chapman Shares the Heartfelt Message that Helped While Grieving His Daughter
Crowder Crowder Moving Official 'Somebody Prayed' Music Video
The Statler Brothers 'Til the Storm Passes By' The Statler Brothers Live Performance
Mandisa Mandisa - Shackles (Praise You)
Anne Wilson Anne Wilson 'The Cross' Powerful Lyric Video
Blogs
At GodTube, you’ll find daily inspirational videos to lift your spirits and encourage you in your walk with God. Popular videos include worship music from your favorite Christian artists, cute videos with adorable kids and animals, hilarious videos from Christian comedians, user-uploaded videos, and clean viral videos to brighten your day.