Some of you may have heard the story of young Diego Santiago. The son of Chief Hospital Corpsman (Fleet Marine Force / Aviation Warfare) Jesus “Chico” Santiago, his fondest dream was to be just like his dad - to follow his father footsteps into the naval ranks, and someday, hopefully, earn the respected title of “Chief.” Earn the honor of being a member of the Chief’s Mess.
But Diego grew ill - very ill - and his dream looked increasingly like an impossibility.
Chief Santiago’s brothers and sisters in the CPO mess heard of Diego’s illness, and did something I have never heard of before or since: They made Diego an honorary chief petty officer, initiated him into the mess. The pinning ceremony was approved by the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy himself.
He was six years old when he got pinned just a few months ago. He was very pleased, and his pleasure made all of us, even those of us who did not know him, very proud. Proud to be part of an organization which could make such an impression upon such a young man. Proud to be a part of an organization that could have such leaders and fathers that a young man would want to emulate, men like HMC (FMF/AW) Chico Santiago. Proud to be a part of an organization that, no matter how big, charged with matters of whatever great import, could still find a way to set aside the comfortable crutches of bureaucratic orthodoxy and do the right thing for a very sick little boy.
So I read this note with sorrow, passed down through the service pipe:
It is with great regret and sadness that I tell you Diego passed away last night. Diego was originally only given a few weeks to live when initially diagnosed with cancer but he fought a hard fight for 14 months, but his little body couldn’t hold out any longer. He was a tough little man and did want to be just like his father and actually seemed to be a great mini version of Chico. Chico and I were Second Classes together at FMSS (as Instructors) and Transitioned to Chief Petty Officer together. I’ve been following Diego’s progress and fight since the beginning, the family is of course devastated with this great loss of their son and brother, but relieved that he is no longer in pain. This is truly a sad day for the Santiago Family and those they hold dear.
Prayers for his soul then, that God may hold him close, and prayers for his family’s healing.
Rest in peace, young chief. We still have the watch.
27 responses so far ↓
1
CPT J
// Aug 9, 2006 at 4:29 am
Sailor, rest your oar
2
OldRetiredChief
// Aug 9, 2006 at 4:42 am
Welcome aboard, little brother. Your service may have been brief but it was of the very highest caliber, you brought honor to your khakis.
Rob Brogdon
AWC (AW/NAC)
USN (Ret)
3
MajMike
// Aug 9, 2006 at 5:28 am
RIP little buddy.
4
OldRetiredChief
// Aug 9, 2006 at 5:47 am
With respect and reverence for both Chief Santiagos, I’d like to submit this bit of history.
Just so you know…
My father was an (dare I say it?) Air Force Master Sergeant. At one point when I was a lad we were stationed at an Air Force radar site at Fallon - it closed long years ago, I believe. At any rate, there being a very small community of CPOs at that small base and an even smaller community of Air Force senior NCOs, dear ol’ dad
ended up tending bar at the Chief’s Club. In an apparent orgy of over-endulgence a Chief Petty Officer recommended my father be initiated as a Chief and granted honorary status. We’re talking 1969-1970 here.
Flash forward to NAS Barbers Point, HI… September of 1984.
There’s my dear ol’ retired dad IN HIS AIR FORCE UNIFORM with anchors on his collar standing beside me drinking truth serum with me and denying to the judge that I was indeed his legitimate son!
I won’t even go into how much money that cost in fines.
It is of these moments that a good life is made.
5
ASM826
// Aug 9, 2006 at 6:02 am
A hard thing, done well.
6
piggybelly
// Aug 9, 2006 at 6:07 am
Fair winds and following seas, young Chief. Eternal rest be yours in the Mansions of the Lord.
7
AFSister
// Aug 9, 2006 at 6:30 am
*crying*
That little face… it will be in my mind for a very long time.
8
MissBirdlegs in AL
// Aug 9, 2006 at 9:35 am
Many, many prayers will be said for this family.
9
Kris, in New England
// Aug 9, 2006 at 10:19 am
How wonderful that the Marines waived the usual protocols to ensure this little man got to have his dream fulfilled.
Go with the angels little one.
10
FlooseMan Dave
// Aug 9, 2006 at 11:00 am
Eyes are stingin’!
Godspeed to you and your courageous parents.
11
Sgt. B.
// Aug 9, 2006 at 11:13 am
Kris,
While I have no doubt that the United States Marine Corps’ Sergeants Major would have moved Heaven and Earth to make this happen for one of their own, I would like to gently correct you in that this one is on the dime of the company of Chief Petty Officers of the United States Navy…
..And the Goat Locker done good…
Blessings upon Master Chief Santiago, and to Chief Santiago (the younger) I bid God Speed…
12
Maggie45
// Aug 9, 2006 at 5:44 pm
G-d bless this family and grant them peace. What an adorable little boy. I can hardly see to type this.
13
John Maynes,EMC(SS),USN (Ret)
// Aug 9, 2006 at 10:03 pm
Little Bro,
No matter the length of one’s life, what matter’s is if you were able to somehow affect events in the future. From the testimony here, you have done this. Welcome to the community.
John P. Maynes, EMC(SS), USN (Ret)
14 The Wood Shed » Diego’s Dream // Aug 10, 2006 at 3:30 am
[...] Lex shares the heart-wrenching story of a very young man who, through the kindness of his father’s shipmates, got to realize his dream before passing on. [...]
15
Kris, in New England
// Aug 10, 2006 at 4:14 am
Sgt B - sorry about that. Shows how much of a neophyte I really am when it comes to the details of our military. Embarrassed I am, but educated nonetheless…
16
Cookie Santiago
// Aug 11, 2006 at 10:09 pm
I googled my son and found this very thoughtfully written article. I’m so touched by your comments…Diego would be smiling from the heavens. To know our little Diego was to love and admire him. He was a “man’s man” and he was a fine Navy man! We’ll be in pain, every day for the rest of our lives, but comforted by the support of the greatest military force in the world!
Cookie Santiago (Diego’s mom)
PS You can visit Diego’s website at:
http://www.carepages.com
His page is: DiegoLand
He has 1891 readers and we’re hoping for 2,000. He loved the carepage and believed he was famous. I can honestly say he is loved throughout the world. Please, visit the photo page! He’s just beautiful.
17 Neptunus Lex » This belongs up front // Aug 12, 2006 at 7:53 am
[...] Mrs Santiago found our post on her son, and passes this word along in the comments box. I’m bringing it to the top: “I googled my son and found this very thoughtfully written article. I?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢m so touched by your comments?¢‚Ǩ¬¶Diego would be smiling from the heavens. To know our little Diego was to love and admire him. He was a ?¢‚Ǩ?ìman?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s man?¢‚Ǩ¬ù and he was a fine Navy man! We?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢ll be in pain, every day for the rest of our lives, but comforted by the support of the greatest military force in the world! Cookie Santiago (Diego?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s mom) PS You can visit Diego?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s website at: http://www.carepages.com His page is: DiegoLand [...]
18
cranky
// Aug 13, 2006 at 8:16 am
God Bless you Diego and your parents. That is one excellent hand salute and impeccable uniform, Chief.
v/r
Retired AF MSgt
19
Jizno
// Aug 17, 2006 at 10:04 am
It seems to me that Diego Santiago has brought so much to the lives of all who knew him, either personally or through the Carepages or some association with his family.
Diego’s life was not for not, though he lived only 6 years, he contributed more to each of us than many people who live decades.
The daily journal of his mom Cookie helped us to see that as a child of God, we are all connected together and are really never alone.
I have been especially impressed by the response of our military friends who did so much to make him feel so special. I am so proud to have such tremendously fine folks protecting and guarding our country. It was no wonder that Diego wanted so to be a part of this tremendous family.
I know that the consequent days will seem so very hard for this young family whose mixed emotions of celebrating the fact that Diego is with his Lord Jesus and no longer suffering struggle against the sense that a part of their hearts has been torn away, never to be filled again.
However, that hole will become filled again, maybe not with the daily life of Diego, but with the seed of faith sown by our God. God knew we needed to know Diego and blessed us with his small presence. We will remember that these precious children are not ever ours to keep, but to watch over, love and protect for as long as we are able.
Thank you for not keeping Diego to yourself, but for sharing him with others.
I heard a quote from a movie on C.S. Lewis and his wife Joy. Don’t know if it was an actualy quote or a movie moment, but it stuck with me. Joy told “Jack” that the happiness now was part of the pain later. I believe that Diego is sitting on Jesus lap telling him how much he felt loved. It will be knowing that you loved him as much as anyone here on earth could that will get you through this short time on earth.
Blessings on you Santiago family, remember that you are loved.
Jizno
20
Cookie Santiago
// Aug 18, 2006 at 11:25 pm
Jizno,
Thank you for your words of comfort…so timely, as tonight has been the worst of all in the past 2 1/2 weeks since Diego left us.
I desperately desire genuine prayers for my family. We are in terrible pain…struggling to find our “place” and our way back to “family.” It’s centered around cancer for so long that we struggle to adjust to the absence of Diego and all that has surrounded us because of this illness.
I can’t describe this ache and emptiness…but, I do know that we’re not alone. I choose to believe that God is with us and loving us through this, although we question the amount of anguish that has been permitted to fall upon us…our marriage…our children.
I’m so deeply moved by the response from this web-family. Thank you…there is comfort and strength in being surrounded with love, prayers, and support. I am struggling to hold on to hope…I’ll have to rely on matters of “faith” and “trust” and “believing.”
Sincerely,
Cookie
(Diego’s mom: http://www.carepgaes.com / DiegoLand)
21
Chuck Pierce
// Aug 23, 2006 at 1:31 pm
Dear Santiago Family:
I found your site by accident. I am a newly selected chief and have been putting together articles for the mess regarding naval heritage and CPO history. I came across this and I must say that it is more profound and moving than anything that I have been blessed to experience in my 18 and a half years in the navy/reserves.
Your family is in my prayers and your sharing of Diego has made us all better people.
God bless you and yours.
With utmost sympathy,
AWC(AW/NAC)(SEL) Chuck Pierce
22
HMC SANTIAGO
// Sep 18, 2006 at 2:02 pm
BROTHERS AND SISTERS
I want to thank you for your wonderful comments. I would like to say that reading this blog makes me proud of the large family I have in you, Our Nations Armed Forces(active or retired). As the father of such an incredible child. i must say that you the military were the sole inspiration in my son’s heart any time he saw a jet,tank,ship or grunt pounding the pavement,he smile that angelic smile of his. I thank you all for bringing happiness to his heart even in his days of pain. God speed….
23
Cookie Santiago
// Oct 5, 2006 at 8:43 pm
I’d like to share part of SECNAV Winters’ talking points in his speech at the Chief Pinning Ceremony in Washington on Sept. 15:
?¢‚Ǩ¬¢ I leave you with four worthy goals that I urge you to strive for as you continue your careers as Chief Petty Officers in the United States Navy
?¢‚Ǩ¬¢ May you be Sailors of commitment like Master Chief Carl Brashear, recently deceased Navy diver and hero, and portrayed in the recent movie, ?¢‚Ǩ?ìMen of Honor?¢‚Ǩ¬ù
?¢‚Ǩ¬¢ May you be Sailors of faith like 7 year-old Diego Santiago, a child who recently died of lung cancer whose one wish in life was to be a Navy chief so could be, in his words, ?¢‚Ǩ?ìjust like my dad.?¢‚Ǩ¬ù He was made an honorary chief last March before his illness took him last month
?¢‚Ǩ¬¢ May you be Sailors of courage like Chief Darga, EOD specialist and hero, killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq on August 22nd. Chief Darga was on his fourth Middle East tour when he was killed
?¢‚Ǩ¬¢ And may you be Sailors of honor like the countless Navy chiefs in the fleet today whose character serves as an example to those younger Sailors who follow in their footsteps
?¢‚Ǩ¬¢ Thank you, every one of you, for your service and your patriotism
As the mother of Chief Diego Santiago, I find comfort and encouragement in knowing that he is still recognized as one of the Navy’s finest! He’d be so pleased.
24
Cookie Santiago
// Oct 5, 2006 at 8:45 pm
PS Just wanted to mention that Diego was only five…but the article written about the visit with MCPON Scott said he was seven. He certainly was wise beyond his years.
25
Keelhauler
// Dec 2, 2006 at 6:39 pm
I found your website by accident but I thank Almighty God for coming across it. My heart goes out to HMC Santiago and his family. I shared this page with my Chief who I know will pour it out acroos the entire Chief’s Mess. I believe this story should be shared by as many as possible. May young Chief santiago Rest in eternal peace with the Holy Father on high!!!
Leave a Comment