Kevin Windham

The first I ever heard of Kevin Windham was after Chuck spent a weekend at the River on a fishing trip with our son-in-law Warren Villareal, our nephew Nick Barton and one of his submarine buddies Kevin Windham.

Nick and Kevin were active duty and serving together and stationed at Kings Bay Submarine Base, in Kingsland, Georgia. 

The guys had quite a weekend. Kevin was happy that he got to meet a dinosaur, an 'Old Navy' submarine sailor. Over the next few years I heard a lot about Kevin, but did not meet him personally for some time.

I can not convey to the reader how much this man means to me, or how much I deeply appreciate him! I will share my story and I am sure you will understand.

Chuck passed away on July 13, 1995 after a long, difficult battle with cancer which was caused from being exposed to asbestos for so many years. In trying to make funeral arrangements I was told by the Funeral Director that since we lived more than fifty miles from a base there would not be a Military service.

My heart was broken because this was Chuck’s wishes. Chuck was military to the core. I personally called three bases, Eglin Field, NAS in Jacksonville, and MacDill, and was told the same thing by each, but that I could try the VFW.

Same story, I called several and was told by each that if he was not a member of their Post they would not.

My daughter Stormy called me early evening to see if I had been able to arrange it, and in tears, I told her no. She said, “Mother just stand by, if you want a Military service for Daddy, by-damn you’ll have one!”

She then called Nick who was out of the Navy by this time, he in turn called Kevin who was still active duty and stationed at Kings Bay Submarine Base in Kingsland, Georgia.

I don’t have a clue as to who he called or what he said, but in less than two hours after I spoke with Stormy, I received a call from a lady at Kings Bay Submarine Base. She said, “Ms. Haven I pulled your husband’s record, I just called to let you know there will be a detail sent from here to Cedar Key to honor your husband and he will have a Military service; just let me know the time!”

Nick called me later and said, “If no one else has offered yet Kevin would like to attend and pin his Dolphins on Uncle Chuck.”

I told him no one had, but I had not yet notified everyone, but it would be okay with me. I had never heard of this so I asked Nick about it and he said, “It’s just something submarine sailors do for their buddies who sail on Eternal Patrol.”

It touched my heart big time!

I called several of his shipmates and let them know when all the arrangements were made. Little John (Gene Courmier) arrived the next day from Vinton, La. He had served aboard the USS Grenadier SS 525 with Chuck.

We were sitting on the porch talking, and I asked him about this and he told me the same thing Nick had, then he said to his wife, “What was the last thing I told you to make sure is packed?” She answered, “Your Dolphins.”

He told me he had planned to pin his on Chuck, but since I had already had another submarine sailor, this would be fine with him.

On the day of the service it was raining, and it continued to rain all day. The military detail was there and they did a beautiful service. When they finished Kevin in his dress Whites pinned his Dolphins on the breast of Chuck's suit; which was actually his dress Blues that he'd had the rate badge and hash marks removed from the sleeve, and he always told me he wanted to be buried in this suit, then Kevin stepped back and saluted Chuck.

Kevin Windham 

His Dolphins were sterling silver and they were special to him because they had been a gift to him from someone special. I am eternally grateful to Kevin Windham that he cared enough for Chuck to honor Chuck in this way, especially having never served aboard any Boat with him.

Kevin Windham retired as a Master Chief MT (E-9) after 30 years of service. I consider him one of the finest among Fine Submarine Sailor's!

MTCM/SS Windham 1979-2009

AS-34 80-82 (Tender)
USS Daniel Boone SSBN 629G 82-84
Damn Neck 84-87  (Instructor)  met Nick
USS Ben Franklin SSBN 640B 87-92
SWFLANT; Duty Wharf Officer 92-95
USS Tennessee SSBN 734G WDEA 95-99
SWFLANT Security Dept Leading Chief (Attitude Adjustment Specialist) 99-03
Wyoming SSBN 742G 3MC 03-06
SWFLANT Security again. 06-09(R)