Coast Guard personnel, family and friends honored the life and service of Petty Officer 3rd Class Travis Obendorf during a ceremony held at Coast Guard Island in Alameda, Calif., Thursday.
Obendorf died in a Seattle hospital Dec. 18 as a result of injuries he sustained during search and rescue operations near Amak Island, Alaska, Nov. 11, while serving aboard Coast Guard Cutter Waesche.
Coast Guard Comandant Adm. Robert J. Papp, and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Michael Leavitt were some of the guests who made the trip to Alameda to honor Obendorf.
“As we grieve for the loss of our shipmate, we remember that for over 223 years others in that long blue line – dedicated Coast Guard men and women like Petty Officer Travis Obendorf – have stepped forward without hesitation and without reservation,” said Papp. “They accepted that sacred trust, to place the needs of their country first, and put service before self.”
Petty Officer Obendorf died while on a search and rescue mission so that others may live, Leavitt said.
“It is brave Coast Guardsmen like Petty Officer Obendorf that leave a legacy of courage, commitment, character and sacrifice,” said Leavitt. “A sacrifice that will never be forgotten, and a legacy that reminds us all of the selfless service that we are called to despite the challenges we face.”
Click the photo for more pictures from the memorial service.
Coast Guard members gather for Petty Officer 3rd Class Travis R. Obendorf’s memorial service on Coast Guard Island in Alameda, Calif., Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014. Obendorf, a shipmate who died Dec. 18 as a result of injuries he sustained during search and rescue operations near Amak Island, Alaska, while serving aboard Coast Guard Cutter Waesche. U.S. Coast Guard video by Petty Officer 3rd Class Adam Stanton
