Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer April Reid, a company commander at Coast Guard Training Center, Cape May, N.J., embraces Mr. Franklin Redd, father of Seaman Recruit Aaron Redd, Friday, Aug. 19, 2016, following the graduation ceremony of recruit company Delta 193. (U.S. Coast Guard Photo by Chief Warrant Officer John Edwards)
CAPE MAY, N.J. – A recruit who passed away while attending basic training was honored, Friday, during the graduation ceremony for his recruit company at Coast Guard Training Center Cape May.
Seaman Recruit Aaron Redd became an honorary graduate of recruit-company Delta 193.
Redd joined the Coast Guard, June 28 and reported to Training Center Cape May that same day. According to his family, joining the Coast Guard was a dream of his.
In a statement issued by Redd’s parents, it read, “Aaron fulfilled his dream of becoming a Coast Guardsman. He wanted to save lives. At 21, he found his purpose, his drive.”
“Today we are proud to have designated Seaman Recruit Aaron Redd as an honorary graduate of Delta 193,” said Capt. Owen Gibbons, commanding officer of Training Center Cape May. “We commend him for having the desire to serve his country and to join our service. He, and his family, are forever part of our Coast Guard family now.”
On Friday, July 1, Redd collapsed after completing the 1.5-mile run portion of his initial physical fitness assessment. Coast Guard medical personnel, who were already on-scene as part of the training center’s safety protocol, immediately rendered first aid before transporting him to Cape Regional Medical Center in Cape May Court House, N.J. There, Redd received medical treatment up until he died.
Following Redd’s death, his heart was donated to a person in need of a transplant through the Gift of Life program.
