COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. -- Comstock Park will host Holland Christian on Friday night in the annual Patriot Game, at 7 o'clock.
Kent County Commissioner Tom Antor said on West Michigan's Morning News the life of a 2013 Comstock Park graduate will be honored. U.S. Marine Captain Miguel Nava, 28, died when his military chopper went down during a training exercise on February 6, about 50 miles from San Diego. The CH-53E Super Stallion crashed in Pine Valley, California.
It was returning from Nevada to California when it encountered rough weather. Five other servicemen were on board.
"If you know any veterans in the area, they can come and tailgate with us," Antor said. "We have a huge hospitality tent. All veterans get in for free. We're going to have a barbecue and drinks. And they can come in and allow us to honor them. So, we're calling on all veterans from the area to come on down. Free admission, free hospitality tent. We want this to be one of the biggest events of this type in West Michigan."
Here is a website link to the RSVP page.
Antor helped launch the annual event. He said Nava's mother, Lisa, is pleased her son's life is being remembered.
"She told me, 'Tom, he wouldn't want us to be sad. He would be mad if we were even not looking at this as a celebration of his life.' And so, she said, 'Let's get through this and celebrate his life, not mourn his death.'"
Antor said honoring veterans is something that military families need to see.
"This is something we insist on every year. And we're going to announce the names of all nine of our previous recipients at this honor ceremony. So, we are never forgetting any of them. And they represent all the service (members) from every war we've ever been involved in," he said.
Capt. Nava's military decorations include the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.
He was originally from Traverse City.
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