“Ma, I’m in Jail”
May 12, 2024Our Final Correspondence
July 28, 2024Although I can talk with almost anyone, I spend a lot of time in solace to recharge. Over the years, I have grown accustomed to this oddity in my personality and have learned to push myself; however, there are certain “eventful” days when I know it’s better to keep firm boundaries in place and hunker down. Memorial Day is one of those. Hearing from people who knew and love Chris has been really helpful through the years, especially because their memories with Chris bolster me on difficult days. Each relationship Chris had was dear to his heart, and each person who knew Chris holds a piece of his beautiful life’s puzzle. My brother’s life is truly celebrated when individuals are willing to kindly offer their piece. Chris’ best friend, Joe, recently shared several stories and has given me permission to pass them along on this National Day of Remembrance – Memorial Day.
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“The year we graduated [from high school] my nephew, Zachary, was born. It was December 23rd, 1993 and it snowed that day, rare for eastern NC. After spending most of the day in the hospital, Chris, Zachary’s dad, and I all went out to play pool to celebrate. At the time Chris was 19, I was 18. We went to a local bar, Zachary’s dad ordered a beer, I confidently followed suit, and Chris ordered a water. Surprisingly the waitress brought out a tray with two very large beers and a cup of water. We spent the evening playing pool, laughing and having a great time. I had been teaching Chris how to drive a manual transmission. He had tried a few times and was getting the hang of it. That night, after a number of beers that I obviously wasn’t ready for, it was determined that we needed to leave. I got into the passenger’s seat of my car and Chris took the wheel. After several lunging attempts of getting the car rolling in first gear, my head and my stomach decided it was payback time for my evening, and I couldn’t get the window rolled down in time so the floorboard of my car got the worst of it. We went to my sister’s house that night, and I woke up the next morning laying on the floor with my head in Chris’ lap, a trash bag placed next to my head, and Chris sitting leaned against a chair. He had sat up most of the night making sure I was ok.”
“I went to college to play baseball and Chris stayed local in the Jacksonville area. After a career-ending injury, my baseball hopes were gone and I returned to Jacksonville and attended the Community College. Chris and I took many of the same classes. Needless to say, college was a continuation of many of our antics from high school and neither of us were focused much on our GPA at that time, but there were many moments, many memories that will stay with me forever. Chris knew he was joining the Navy and his goal was to be a SEAL. There were so many times that he tried to convince me to join with him and go that same path. That was Chris, he was focused, he was dedicated, he was motivated and he was going to accomplish his dream. One night there was a major ice storm that basically shut down the entire area. I was at home at my parent’s house with no ability to go anywhere and sulking miserably in my room. About 7 pm, I heard the doorbell ring and immediately heard my dad say, “Chris! What in the world are you doing here, how did you get here?!”. Chris had walked from his house, about 23 miles, in the freezing rain and ice. I have several pictures from that night and had a great time. I knew that day Chris was going to accomplish what he set out to do.”
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Chris did join the Navy at the end of the year; Joe has one of his “Popeye” pictures, too. On the back, Chris’ message to Joe says, “Thanks for being the best friend you could be!”. In typical Chris fashion, he ends his note with, “Keep It Light! & Stay Stoked On Life!“. With Joe’s blessing, this Memorial Day we are honored to announce Project Campbell’s Call new tagline, “”Keep It Light! & Stay Stoked On Life!“.
In Loving Memory,
Cindy
Proud Sister of Christopher George Campbell, US Navy
September 16, 1974 – 8/6/11
“The greatest casualty is being forgotten” – WWP®