Friends, family and hundreds of servicemen and women gathered Friday afternoon to pay homage to the life and service of Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Justin McNeley, who was killed while serving in Afghanistan.
The chapel at the Archdiocese of Denver Mortuary was filled with friends and family mourning the loss of the sailor.
No seat in the chapel was left empty; people spilled into the foyer, where there was standing room only. Others stood outdoors and waited for the uniformed pallbearers to bring the flag-covered casket to the grave.
“Not grieving, but commemorating that you still live within, still we stand, through you, for you and with you,” said Air Force Capt. Gary Coburn, who officiated at the service.
The father of two was described as a man who enjoyed showing up unannounced to surprise his loved ones. The 30-year-old, a father, son, brother and uncle, was dedicated, sincere and family-oriented, mourners said.
“He loved his kids, talked about his kids constantly, and worked a second job so they would be well-off,” said Chief Sergio Fabian, one of McNeley’s shipmates. “He was always the best that he could be.”
McNeley was one of two sailors killed in late July in one of the most dangerous parts of Afghanistan. The two were in an armored SUV, traveling in Logar province, about 60 miles from their base on the western edge of Kabul. The reason for their trip remains a mystery.
Friday, people remembered the things that they will miss the most about McNeley.
“Justin always looked you in the eyes when he talked to you, but was the first one to lighten up a conversation by cracking a joke,” Coburn said. “If you were his friend, you knew you would be his friend forever.”
“He was an excellent worker; (I was) thoroughly impressed with his work ethic and he meant a lot to the HT (Hull Technician) shop,” shipmate HT1 William Hoffner said after the ceremony.
Another shipmate, HT1 Harry Herradora, said what he remembers most about McNeley was a certain smile he would get when talking to people.
“You could just see it; it was his smile,” Herradora said.
Bianca Davis: 303-954-1698 or bsmith-davis@denverpost.com
