KEYPORT, Kitsap County - A Navy SEAL is dead in training in waters near Keyport.
By The Associated Press
KEYPORT, Kitsap County — A Navy SEAL is dead in training in waters near Keyport. The Kitsap Sun says Chief Special Warfare Operator Eric F. Shellenberger was on a training dive early Thursday when he had trouble in the water and signaled for an emergency ascent. He was unconscious when he reached the surface and CPR was administered.
The 36-year-old Shellenberger, of Pennsburg, Pa., died at the Keyport pier.
Shellenberger enlisted in the Navy on Nov. 30, 1999, after serving more than eight years in the Marine Corps. He graduated from SEAL qualification training in June 2001.
prayers sent for his family.speaks volumes for a mans character to spend 8 yrs in the corps and then re-enlist for the seal teams.a true patriot and a tremendous loss.may his soul rest in peace.
RIP, Chief Special Warfare Operator Eric F. Shellenberger. A hero who dies in training is no less a hero. My condolences to his friends, colleagues, and especially his family.
Eternal Father, strong to save,
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
Who bidd’st the mighty ocean deep
Its own appointed limits keep;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea!
Preparing men to do dangerous things is generally dangerous in and of itself. With every dive, with every jump, with every entry made with hot weapons, the warrior knows he could be enjoying his last moments on earth…whether it is in training or in the field. Yet they do it time and again, all in service to their nation.
…“I bring this prayer to You, Lord
For You alone can give
What one cannot demand from oneself.
Give me, Lord, what You have left over,
Give me what no-one ever asks You for.
I don’t ask You for rest, or quiet,
Whether of soul or body;
I don’t ask You for wealth,
Nor for success, nor even health perhaps.
That sort of thing You get asked for so much
That You can’t have any of it left.
Give me, Lord, what You have left over,
Give me what no-one wants from You.
I want insecurity, strife,
And I want You to give me these
Once and for all.
So that I can be sure of having them always,
Since I shall not always have the courage
To ask You for them.
Give me, Lord, what You have left over,
Give me what others want nothing to do with.
But give me courage too,
And strength and faith;
For You alone can give
What one cannot demand from oneself”…
Lt. Andre Zirnheld, SAS, died in battle July 26, 1941,
the preceeding was found in his uniform.
