COVID19 has made for some logistically challenging adventures this year. We’ve either postponed, rescheduled, or climbed implementing a social distance plan. Despite all of the challenges thrown at us, we’ve still safely reached the summit assisting over 240 climbers this season; it’s turned out to be a great season.
A few weeks ago, Kristine, an out of state Gold Star Sister contacted us asking for our assistance, her and her girlfriend were coming too Alaska to adventure. She planned her visit around the 2nd anniversary of her brother’s death and it was her desire to climb Gold Star Peak to honor him and his memory on the anniversary of his death.
Her brother Taylor was killed when the MH-60 helicopter he was flying with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment Airborne (SOAR) Airborne (A) “Night Stalkers” crashed in Iraq on 20 Aug 2018. As we talked a bit on the phone, I could hear in her voice that it was going to be an emotionally tough climb for her as she was not only so very grateful for our willingness to support her, but that she was still very much grieving the loss of her brother. I reassured her that it will be a great day spent honoring him in the mountains.
For her climb, I asked Josh from our team to join us because Josh is not only a Gold Star sibling, but his brother Jacob was also a helicopter pilot with 160th SOAR (A). Jacob died when the MH-47 he was piloting crashed in Afghanistan on 27 Oct 2017, just a year earlier than Taylor’s death. Having the two Gold Stars together for the climb was beyond perfect for so many reasons.
It was a gorgeous day. We climbed and learned more about Taylor and Jacob, ate blueberries, watermelon berries, laughed, hugged, and raised a glass in honor of them on the summit. Every bit of the day from the company, why and who we honored, was special, moving, and so very healing.
The Night Stalkers motto is: “Night Stalkers Don’t Quit” (NSDQ)…both Taylor and Jacob would be proud knowing their sister and brother continue to proudly uphold the motto in their honor.
Say their names:
CW3 Taylor J. Galvin, 20 Aug 2018
CW3 Jacob M. Sims, 27 Oct 2017