28, of Edgewater, Md.; assigned to a West Coast-based naval special warfare unit; died Aug. 16 in a Black Hawk helicopter crash northeast of Kandahar, Afghanistan. Also killed were Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Suresh N. A. Krause, 29, of Cathedral City, Calif.; Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician 1st Class Sean P. Carson, 32, of Des Moines, Wash.; Army Sgt. Richard A. Essex, 23, of Kelseyville, Calif.; Army Sgt. Luis A. Oliver Galbreath, 41, of San Juan, Puerto Rico; Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Brian D. Hornsby, 37, of Melbourne, Fla.; and Navy Special Warfare Operator 2nd Class David J. Warsen, 27, of Kentwood, Mich.
To honor SO1 Patrick D. Feeks, his widow, Emily Feeks and her brother’s family, Esther and James Booth and their kids retrieved this stone from their property in Gorham, Maine in the small flower garden outside their home.
52 Comments
To the family and friends of SO1 Patrick D Feeks.
My name is Todd Buchheit, I am a retired US Navy Chief Petty Officer living in Brunswick Me., and had the distinct honor of carrying the stone commemorating Patrick’s service to our country as part of the Summit Project. I was initially assigned a different stone, but due to special circumstances connected to that particular stone, that assignment was transferred to another rider. As I listened to the roll call of assignments that morning, I heard Patrick’s name called. The rider assigned to him did not answer up immediately so Major Cody continued to give Patrick’s details until the rider recognized who he was. When I heard that Patrick was a Navy Seal, this caught my attention for a specific reason. Our youngest son is entering the Navy after graduation this year into the Special Warfare Program. It has been his dream for several years and he is extremely excited that he will now get an opportunity to serve our country in that capacity. This assumes of course that he wil successfully complete the training which I have no doubt he will. I’m sure that Patrick’s decision to become a Seal had a similar story and no doubt the proudest moment in his life when the coveted Trident was finally pinned to his uniform. Upon arriving at the final destination, I presented his stone to a family who had also lost a servicemember in Afghan war. His stone was carried up Mt Kahtadin the following day and will return to the MEPS facility in Portland to be displayed with his brothers in arms. I hope this somehow provides you with some comfort to know that Patrick’s memory is alive and well and that his sacrifice will never be forgotten. If it is ok with your family, i’d like to take Patrick with me on vacation to Missouri next month and introduce him to my family. We have a long military history in my family, and I know they would be deeply moved to have an opportunity to learn about him and his service to our country. May God bless you and your family and keep you in his good graces, and know that we are all very proud of Patrick.
Very Respectfully
Todd Buchheit
Chief Petty Officer, US Navy (Ret)
~ In reply to Todd Buchheit Chief Petty Officer, US Navy (Ret)
Thank you for your note. I am sure that Pat’s wife and family would be very happy for you to his memory with your family. Keeping his memory alive is very important to all of all of us. Thank-you for your service and best of luck to your son!
~ In reply to Jeff Hunt
Thank-you for your note. Although, I myself didn’t know Pat long, I learned a lot about him through my sister-in-law (his wife). He was truly her sole-mate and I will never forget talking to her as she began her relationship with him. He made her so happy. We had the honor of spending his last Christmas with him. My children, particularly my daughter really connected with him. I am so happy that Emily connected us to this project so we could be a part of keeping his memory alive.
Dear Todd,
Sorry for being so long in responding. I would love to hear how your son is doing and I pray he will fulfill his dream as Patrich did. Thank you for honoring Patrick. It warms our hearts to know he is not forgotten and that he still motivates people to achieve their goals.
Thank you, Ginny , Pat’s mom.
Patrick’s mom here. I was rereading your post and I am curious about your son and hope to hear he had successfully completed BUDS and SQT and received his trident.
To the family and friends of SO1 Patrick D Feeks
I had the honor of carrying Pat’s tribute stone to the top of the mountain this past Memorial Day weekend. When I first learned I would carry Pat’s stone I set out to get know him. It was of course easy to be impressed by what he had accomplished in his life, he was a SEAL after all, but I found myself completely awestruck as I learned more and more about him. Son, brother, husband, athlete, warrior, brother to his team…. his commitment was 110% to all. As I held his stone, carried it in my pack, and placed it beside others on the top of the mountain I thought of all this… his passion for outdoors adventures and cycling, his longtime commitment to earning the Trident and being the best Operator, his bravery in battle and his commitment to his team, and his commitment to his family and wife. I have already been deeply impacted by Pat and the life he led. The path is long… it goes far beyond a single event, day or weekend. My commitment is that he is not forgotten. His life, and the lessons his life teaches us all will reach more and more people. His memory is alive and well and his sacrifice will never be forgotten.
With respect and honor
Jeff Hunt
Bangor, Maine
Dear Jeff, thank you for honoring and remembering our son. It warms our hearts to see he is not forgotten and in some way can still inspire others to give their all.
Sincerely, Ginny, Pat’s mom
Dan Tereshko — TSP at ANP 2014 Hiker wrote —
On October 4th I was humbled and honored to carry the stone of SO1 (SEAL) Patrick D Feeks. The day was befitting that of a SEAL as it was overcast, foggy, and raining the majority of the day and what better way to remember someone who spent a considerable amount of time in the extremes of cold and wet or hot, humid and dusty. I’d like to think Patrick had a hand in the weather that day.
During the hike I was constantly reminded of one of Patrick’s best traits, his ability to tell a story. The camaraderie, determination and common goal amongst everyone who played a role in making the day happen created instant friendships and with the friendships came great conversations and stories. While Patrick may not have been with us physically, his memory and the impact he had on such a large group was tangible.
As I stood on the top of Cadillac it was impossible to ignore the emotions and thoughts going through my head. But most of all I was grateful that Patrick’s sacrifice wasn’t in vain. Looking around at everyone in our team I was amazed by how the living memory of one man could foster such a sense of community, perseverance, teamwork, selflessness and service to others. There is no doubt that Patrick’s sacrifice was for the greater good.
Thank you to everyone who has stood the watch, and those still standing the watch.
thank you for remembering!
Thank you for your tribute to Patrick!
Dear friends and family of Navy SO1 Patrick D. Feeks,
I’m Abdirahman Salah and I carried the rock engraved with Feeks’s name to the summit of Bradbury mountain. At first I signed up to skip class on that day, but after the trip, it really moved me. When I held the rock and hiked the trail, I felt the burden getting heavier as I was hiking to the top. I was thinking of what Patrick sacrificed for as well as his comrades. The sacrifice of liberty, freedom, and security of democracy in Afghanistan. His service in the Navy reminds me of my cousin who served in the Air Force. He served in the Air Force for 5 years since 2004. When my group finally reached the top, we shared our rocks and who we’re honoring. Hearing all these stories of the men and women in our armed forces were great and inspirational. I’m still humble I got to speak about Patrick, his efforts and sacrifice.
Sincerely,
Abdirahman Salah
Thank-you for your note and sharing your experience.
Dear Abdirahman,
Thank you for sharing your experience and thank you for remembering Patrick.
Sincerely, Ginny
Pat’s mom
To the family of SO1 Patrick D Feeks,
Recently I had the honor of hiking the Summit Project with Patrick, and I would like to personally thank you, both for the opportunity to know him and for his personal sacrifice. I am currently a Junior at Edward Little High School, and taking a War and Diplomacy unit in American History, along with a War in Literature unit in American Literature. In these classes, I’ve learned the different sides of war, from both the political and personal views. In fact, my current reading assignment in my Am Lit follows the stories, some true and some not, of a real Vietnam veteran.
However, learning the name and story of someone so close to home, and then carrying a symbol of their burden up a mountain really affected my view of the effects of war. Too often we forget that real lives lived by real people are lost to make ours both safer and better. No amount of reading or schoolwork will ever teach me as much about the costs of freedom as the Summit Project.
I have a cousin who is also a Navy soldier. I do not know him well, and yet I still cannot imagine what would happen if he never made it back. To lose someone, even someone you barely know, is devastating. I cannot say I truly know what it feels like to lose a loved one to war; rather, I can only hope he comes home safe, and respect the sacrifices of those who couldn’t.
Again I would like to thank you for giving me the opportunity to get to know Patrick. I understand he was quite young, and he left behind a loving family, including his widowed soulmate and loving niece and nephew. I hope the best for every one of you, and that you may find happiness in knowing the effect Patrick had on his country.
With best regards,
Kyle Bean
ELHS Junior
Thank you for your note and sharing about your experience. I am glad that you and your class got this opportunity to be apart of this amazing project.
Thank you for sharing your experience and your thoughts with us! War is truly ugly and painful. But I can tell you Patrick believed in what he was doing. He loved being a SEAL. He told us just weeks before he died how much he loved what he was doing. After he died his team mates sat with us and told us wonderful stories about Patrick as a team mate. It gives us great solace knowing he was doing what he loved and died for a noble cause.
Recently we walked through the 9-11 memorial. If there was ever a doubt about what Pat was fighting for, that journey was a stark reminder. It was an intense experience. Every American should take that walk. I hope one day you will beable to go to NYC and visit the Memorial and the museum.
Thank you again,
Ginny
Pat’s mom
Dear Feeks family – I recently had the honor of carrying Patrick’s Hero stone in a trail race up in Bath, ME. I learned about the race some months ago, and decided that since the race was named after Lt, Michael Murphy, I wanted to honor another SEAL by carrying Patrick’s stone in the race.
While this race was a relatively short distance, any trail event brings a set of challenges to be overcome. For this one, I also carried a stone for Army Capt. Benjamin Keating, making the load a bit load heavier. Some of the challenges this race brought included being on a trail I’d never run before. Any time I try to race through the woods, the new territory brings a bit of uncertainty. Since this was held on a real hiking trail, the terrain required some vigilance to stay on trail and upright as we cruised over and around roots and rocks. I lost count of the number of times I stumbled and caught myself, but it made me appreciate the difficulty and skill needed to patrol areas with difficult terrain. At one point the course ran closer to the water where I heard the sounds of gulls screeching and could smell the salt water. This made me consider the long days and nights that Pat would have spent getting “wet and sandy”.
There were a few decent hills to be climbed on this run, which while not overly steep, forced me to be disciplined and control my heart rate. Some of the descents were just as tricky as the climbs due to short leaps down past rocks or roots. That’s when my pack would bounce a bit and I really felt the stones on my back. This made me marvel at the level of athleticism and conditioning required for a soldier living and operating at high altitudes. The feeling of the stones hitting my back were a very tangible reminder that this run was occurring on the day prior to Mother’s Day, and it highlighted the stark reality that mothers like Virginia must cope and live with their grief every day.
After leaving the woods and approaching the finish, I removed the stones from my pack and finished with Pat’s stone in my right hand, holding it out for those near the finish line to see. The announcer noticed and asked what I was carrying. After I told her they were Hero stones, she asked me to come to the microphone. I took that opportunity to hold Pat’s stone up in clear view to let the world know that my run was to honor the life and sacrifice made by Special Warfare Operator Patrick Feeks, a Navy SEAL. I hope that my run that day did honor Patrick’s life and service, and that will help to keep his memory alive with those that learned about him that day.
Thank you for your for sharing your thoughts. Pat was my brother-in-law, although I only knew him a short time he was an amazing man. My children miss him, my daughter in particular talks about him with great frequency and wishes things were different. People like you who participate in this project help keep his memory alive.
Esther
I am sorry it I have been so long in replying. Thank you for sharing your story, it was inspiring! Thank you for honoring Patrick and Capt. Keating.
Ginny Feeks, Pat’s mom.
I was re reading this message from Russ Shoberg, I can’t believe that on the first reading I completely missed that the run was held in Bath Maine! We lived in Bath for several years when we were stationed at Brunswick NAS! I worked at Bath Memorial Hospital! and we lived on Middle street! we were there from about 1979 to 1982 when we were sent out to California. Patrick was born the next year.
How fitting that this event was in Bath! We loved our time in Bath, maybe someday we will get back for a visit!
To Patrick’s Family and Friends,
It was my distinct honor to carry Patrick’s stone to the summit of Bigelow Mountain (4150ft) on 29 May 15. The sun was shining, very few clouds were present and our hopes were high for awesome views on the summit. I was climbing Bigelow Mountain with 22 students from Nokomis Regional High School. Many students had never climbed a mountain before and I thought about how excited Patrick would be of so many teenagers getting involved in outdoor activities. Before the climb even began we met one of the “Bigelow Ridgerunners” in the parking lot and she was able to share with us pointers about the hike – we were able to share with her about the Summit Project and all the Heroes we were honoring. The route up the Fire Warden’s Trail was steep and I imagined Patrick mountain-biking down the steep pitch – could he do it… from what I’ve learned about him he definitely would not back down from the challenge. I tried to picture the route he would select for the steep decent and smiled thinking of how he would attack the trail.
Many struggled on the last steep mile and I thought back to a quote I viewed on a tribute page for Patrick to the effect – “to achieve success, one must be willing to pay the price”. We certainly were paying a price on the last pitch but his presence was with us as no one quit and all pushed through their individual difficulties to reach the summit. We met additional hikers on the route up and again were able to share with them about the Summit Project and our Heroes we were honoring – the students were exceptionally proud to show their stones and talk about their Heroes – I felt Patrick looking down upon us. We were rewarded with tremendous views across western Maine from the peak and the students spread across the summit to take in the scene and gather their thoughts.
We paused on the peak to honor the twenty-two Maine heroes, whose stones we just brought to the summit. We set the stones in a tight circle around the base of the summit sign and felt the camaraderie of the group. We knew the brotherhood of the fallen was intact. I truly believe Patrick enjoyed the company of his teammates on the summit and how he inspired all of us to learn and grow from embracing his legacy. It was an honor to carry his stone.
very respectfully,
Brian Clarke
Thank-you for sharing about your experience. I always like to hear when our students are involved in trips such as these. It is so important for them to be able to participate in activities that help them learn beyond the classroom. I have asked my district (our son is now 13) to be able to host stones from this project or have a group of students go on a hike with the memorial stones; particularly since ,however, I have not yet received a response. We did participate in the Run for the Fallen last year. We as a family took turn’s carrying Pat’s stone. It was an amazing experience and allowed my children the opportunity to remember the Uncle Pat and others who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in a very meaningful way.
Esther
I was so glad to hear about your student’s experience! Our younger generations need to remember that Freedom is not Free. Thank you for leading your students on this special journey.
Ginny Feeks, Pat’s mom
Emily, Thomas, Virginia, and Regina:
The morning of October 17th began just as it should have along the salty coast of Maine. Before the hustle and bustle of normal people on a fall weekend, as the Atlantic Ocean tide laid low exposing mud flats, there was one brief chance encounter that set the tone for the day.
As the first rays of a bright orange sun shined over the horizon, bringing to life bright vibrant hues of autumn’s foliage on the distant hills, our nation’s symbol of strength and freedom, the Bald Eagle, glided over the roadway with his head down. Not lost to the meaning of this Bald Eagle to so many Gold Star Families, I took it as confirmation that the men and women, husbands and wives, sons and daughters, brothers and sisters being remembered and honored as part of The Summit Project, were truly present. Additionally, the manner in which this Bald Eagle had its head lowered, served as a reminder that humility is the true measure of a warrior’s strength, just as is depicted in the Navy SEAL Trident. I knew for certain Patrick was present, as I was the only one to see it.
It was only fitting that a Navy SEAL such as Patrick would be remembered in a place such as Acadia National Park. It is where the beautiful blue ocean meets the rocky granite coastline of Maine. It is symbolic of a SEAL, who is most comfortable in the water, but also trained to be a warrior on land.
In learning about Patrick and his legacy from the online memorial page, his friends, teammates, and yourselves; it has been welcoming to learn so much. As many of the soldier’s lives do, Patrick’s resonated with me in so many ways. His legacy was evident throughout the day; whether it was assisting teammates navigate the rocky and steep Cadillac West Face Trail, sharing a quiet moment with a friend at the top while overlooking the beauty below, or what happened back at base camp with the other Gold Star Families. I’ve read where it is a Navy Seal’s duty to always count their men and never leave anyone behind. Like the true warrior Patrick was, it was as if he had a hand in ensuring that his was the last name to be called at the circle ceremony, and positioned me as such. As I proudly called ‘Special Warfare Officer 1st Class Patrick Delaney Feeks’, it was as if he was ensuring at that very moment all of his Summit Project fallen brothers and sisters, who are connected to this beautiful state of Maine, who had been called the same way before him, were all present and accounted for.
I will continue to let your husband Emily, your son Mr. and Mrs. Feeks, and your brother Regina, guide the way I live my life. His sacrifice from a young age, with a deep and passionate desire to succeed, is one that can easily be forgotten as ‘life’ gets in the way. However, it is his sacrifice and memory that I will gladly honor, telling his story as I’ve learned to others. Thank you again for the privilege of carrying his stone and ensuring brave men like Patrick will Never Be Forgotten.
Jonathan Kelley
Thank you for your note. It was powerful to read! Esther
thank you again for your wonderful letter and for allowing us to share it on Patrick’s Memorial page!
Beautiful Jonathan! We posted this on Pat’s memorial page
To The Family And Friends Of SO1 Patrick D Feeks,
I Had The Honor Of Carrying Patrick’s Tribute Stone To The Top Of Big Moose Mountain In Greenville, ME On May 16th 2016. When I First Learned I Was Going To Carry Patrick’s Stone, I Set Out To Learn About Patrick. One Thing I Learned Was That He Would Always Give 110% No Matter What He Did, Whether It Was Cycling Or His Bravery In Battle. I Thought Of That As I Climbed Big Moose Mountain And When I Talked About Him At The Top. It Started To Rain When We Started Talking About Our Fallen Soldiers. His Life Was Well Lived And His Sacrifice Will Never Be Forgotten.
With Respect,
Dale A. Robbins
Newport Maine
Thank you for your note. It is always great to hear about everyone’s experience.
To the Loved Ones of Patrick D. Feeks,
My name is HM3 Anthony Lombardo. I am a corpsman serving with 1/25 Alpha Co out of Brunswick, Maine. It was with great honor that I was selected to carry the stone of a fellow sailor up Cadillac Mountain two weeks ago. I have been thinking a lot about Patrick these past few weeks. I wondered what his favorite sports team was, what his favorite pass time was, what his favorite beer was ect. As I reflected on these unanswered questions it struck me that I too could become a name on a stone like Patrick. It hit me pretty hard but as I thought deeper on it, I found that though I may not have the answers to the small questions about Patrick, I found strength in knowing that a Sailor had gone before me and paved an excellent example of selflessness. I hope and pray that I may stand up as Patrick did, hoping to come home to my family, but unafraid to follow his foot steps if necessary. Thank you for the love you and care you put into supporting him through BUDs and the rest of his career. I will carry Patrick and you all in my thoughts this year.
Sincerely with the Upmost Respect,
HM3 Anthony S. Lombardo USN
Thank you Anthony for Honoring and Remember Patrick. Pat loved being a SEAL, he told me only a few weeks brfore he was killed how much he loved it and that there was no other job he would want to do. He had declared when he was 8 years old that we wanted to be a SEAL. He read every book he could lay his hands on over the years. He amassed an impressive library on SEALS and Special Ops.
Patrick was an avid cyclist, he had starting riding his 2 wheeler at the age of 3 1/2,(we still have that little 10″ bike in the basement). He started BMX racing at 4 1/2. He tried other sports as a child but always came back to his bikes. When we lived in Bahrain, he was introduced to Cross Country running when he participated in the Bahrain Marathon Relay with his Dad and other service members stationed in Bahrain. The High School Cross Country Coach took notice (she even timed him and said his time was better than some of the HS runners!), so she invited him to run with the team, while he could not compete, because he was just in middle school, it was the start of his Cross Country running. Pat began swimming with the Hilton Area Swim Team (SEALS!) in middle school when we moved to Rochester NY. His sister was swimming with the team and Pat said he didn’t want to compete but knew he needed to be a strong swimmer to do well at BUDS. Pat frequently put on his BDU’s and swam down Braddocks Bay to Lake Ontario when we lived in Rochester!He did end up swimming competitvely in HS. He was not a top swimmer in HS but his BUDS classmates tell us he was an extremely strong swimmer by the time he got to BUDS, keeping close to, if not up with top College swimmers.
Pat also joined SEA Cadets when we moved to Rochester. through Sea Cadets he attended Aviation Survival school which taught the Cadets survival techniques and living off the land. He also attended Mini BUDS in Little Creek Virgina. the Program was run by Avtive and Retired Navy SEALS and they got a taste of what to look forwad to when they got to BUDS for real!Several of the Sea Cadets that went through Mini BUDS with Pat also became SEALS.
I hope this tells you a bit more about who Pat was and how he pursued his dream.
thank you again for honoring and Remembering our Fallen Heroes.
Pat’s Mom
On 01October2016, I had the privilege to hike with Team BLACKWOOD and carry the spirit stone ENDURANCE during TSPatANP2016. Webster’s Dictionary defines endurance as 1) the ability to do something difficult for a long time, 2) the ability to deal with pain or suffering that continues for a long time, and 3) the quality of continuing for a long time.
During my preparation for the hike, I logged a few more long hilly runs than usual, and tried to wrap my head around the concept of endurance as it fit into The Summit Project. Hike day arrived cool and early on Saturday morning, and the pre-hike activity around base camp kept me wondering how it all fit together with endurance.
The hike up Cadillac’s South Ridge trail helped me find the connections in a wonderfully simple way. Our team included four veterans, including a pair that had served together. It also included hikers that had served with, or grown up with the heroes whose stones were carried on the hike. Listening to their conversations was helping me to realize that endurance goes much deeper than just pushing through the tough portion of a workout. At the peak, prior to our circle ceremony, we had the honor of meeting some of Petty Officer Bryan Hobart’s surviving family members. All of these privileged moments helped me to clearly see the practical aspects of ENDURANCE in our hike team’s shared experience.
During our physical preparation for the hike, each of us had to find some level of endurance in our training. The service members among us had developed even higher levels of endurance in their military training, and through their deployments over time. It was clear that the bonds among those who served offered them a sense of shared endurance. The families and friends of the deployed must live daily with an enduring spirit and outlook while their loved ones are away. But, the most humbling realization was that the surviving Gold Star families and friends all share a level of endurance in their daily lives that most of us likely can’t imagine.
I found this hike to be a very humbling experience as I saw and felt those spirits of endurance around me that morning. It was a real honor to be on that hike, with that team, on that day, and to have them bring some real examples of ENDURANCE to life.
SEMPER MEMENTO Russ Shoberg (Sensei)
On Dec 3, 2016, MIDN 1/C Alex Crans wrote:
CAPT and Mrs. Feeks,
I will never forget the Saturday afternoon that I finished the SEAL screener at the Naval Academy. It had been a long, cold, difficult weekend, but the event had finally ended, and the first to congratulate myself and the twenty other Midshipmen on the banks of the Severn was a Naval Academy grad and the father of a fallen SEAL hero. Sir, as you explained the story of your son and his sacrifice and just how much the SEAL brotherhood meant to Pat, I was reminded that my weekend wasn’t that long, nor that cold, and certainly not that difficult. The sacrifices of men like your son made every effort of that event an honor and a privilege, and your presence at the conclusion of the screener will be something that stays with me and motivates me throughout my military service.
I’m a senior now at USNA and after a summer spent with SEALS on the beaches of Coronado and EOD technicians in the desert of inland California, I chose to pursue a career in the explosive ordnance community. The EOD brotherhood lost a member in the helicopter crash that claimed your son – EOD1 Sean Carson gave his life in the defense of our freedoms on that day as well. When I learned of your son’s connection to Maine and his wife’s passion for my home and the state that I love so dearly, I recognized that the similarities between us were deeper than the love of a challenge and the quest for a meaningful service. I too am a small-town kid with a passion for everything that Maine has done for me and all that it represents, and although Pat proudly called Edgewater, MD his home, I certainly get the sense that he shared my appreciation for Vacationland. When I was offered the chance to carry his stone at a TSP event over Thanksgiving leave, I immediately took up the offer.
I always reflect on the sacrifices of you and your son as I drive over Weems Creek, over the SO1 Feeks Memorial Bridge. His dedication to the ideals of this great nation have inspired me, the next generation of America’s Navy, and I couldn’t be prouder or more humbled to attempt to live up to his shining example as I get ready to begin my military career.
With the deepest respect,
MIDN 1/C Alex Crans
To the Loved Ones of Patrick D. Feeks,
My name is HM3 Anthony Lombardo. I am a corpsman serving with 1/25 Alpha Co out of Brunswick, Maine. I carried Feeks’ stone up Cadillac Mnt last fall and up Katahdin this Memorial Day. It was one the more beautiful days were apt to get in May. The hike up was something else. It was a struggle. I kept thinking that my knees were gonna give out cause I packed too much gear in my bag. What kept me going was the thought of Patrick looking down on me. There was no way I was quitting when I was carrying the stone of a SEAL. I would have loved to have met Patrick. It was an honor to carry such a small part of a burden that such a great warrior carried. This hike was difficult for me on a more personal level. January 29 one of my Marine’s took his life. It messed me up pretty good but as I was coming down the mountain I realized my buddy was now in good company. I hope their paths cross in Valhalla. It has been an immense honor to carry Patrick’s stone and will do my best to keep carrying it with honor
Sincerely with the Upmost Respect,
HM3 Anthony S. Lombardo USN
Thank you for your note and your powerful words. I am sorry for your loss!
To the family and friends of SO1 Patrick Feeks. I had the privilege for the first time to do two things. First one was to have the honor of carrying a TSP stone in remembrance of our fallen heroes. I’m am greatful to have been able to do so. I have had many family members serve this great country. The second thing for a first for me was an over night hike. On August 11 a group of us hiked to a small summit in Maine on the coast. We went to see the meteor shower. This is where I got to carry your sons stone.
Sorry for you loss. Our thoughts be with you and your family.
Ryan
(Bangor, Me.)
Thank you for your note!
This year our family was again honored to carry Pat’s stone as a part of the Run for our Fallen Heroes, formerly Run for the Fallen. We have participated in this 5K for the last 4 years and have carried this stone that came from our home each year. Each year we share the responsibility of carrying the stone in remembrance of Pat. This year we each took turns carrying it by hand rather than in a back pack. Feeling the weight of the stone as we walked was powerful. I am so appreciative of the opportunity to do this. I was proud of my 9 year old who had a goal of carrying the stone to Uncle Pat’s picture, despite becoming tired; she did not give up. She then passed the stone on to her brother who carried it a significant distance before passing it off to his dad. Thank you for the opportunity to have Pat’s memory live on in a very real way. Unfortunately, we did not get to know Pat long, but he made a huge impact on my family.
Friends and family of SO1 Patrick D Feeks,
My name is Joshua and this past weekend I had hiked for the first time with the Summit Project, of which that I had the honor to carry Patrick’s stone to the top of Cadillac Mountain.
Being a Navy Seal, Patrick carried many burdens and faced many challenges, but he kept on going pushing through every hurdle to support his comrades, and ultimately his country. But through this experience, there were plenty of times where my leg muscles wanted to give out, but I kept reminding myself that with every step I took on that mountain, each time I looked back to see much elevation I just gained that I was carrying not only myself, but the memories of Patrick.
Being very new to hiking, with this being my second mountain I’ve hiked in my life, there were times where I felt out of my comfort zone, but there was this driving energy behind me helping me to push on where I felt I was going to fail. I wish I knew more personal details about Patrick but I have a feeling that he was the type of person to always go out of his way to help others conquer any challenge, in this case my challenge was climbing this mountain for the first time.
Thank you for the opportunity for allowing me to carry Patrick’s stone and hope to hear back from his family and friends so I can get to know more about who he was. May you all find happiness in knowing that even with his passing, he is a spirit that is still working hard to help others succeed.
Sincerely,
Joshua Dostie
Thank you for your note. Our family only met, Patrick (my brother in law) in person over one Christmas Holiday. He made a huge impact on my children who were very young at the time. He passed away just before my children entered Kindergarten and 5th grades respectively.
To the Surviving Loved Ones of Navy Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Patrick D. Feeks; Virginia Feeks, Emily, and Ester and James Booth and others –
On 27 May 2018, I was a hiker on team BLUE for TSP at BSP 2018. I had the distinct honor and privilege to carry the story and memorial stone of Navy Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Patrick D. Feeks, an experience that will stay with me for a long time.
On this fifth anniversary of our signature event at Baxter State Park and returning to the hiking teams after helping at base camp a year ago – I was already filled with excitement, renewed energy and commitment, and those positive emotions were only amplified when I learned in the in the weeks leading to the hike, my stone assignment. You see, in the early years of TSP, I was responsible for this pairing process, but this year I had no input nor influence, and I was thrilled to have the duty to carry Pat’s stone and story.
No two TSP events are the same. Every TSP event brings a mix of emotions from joy, to sadness, to inspiration, to humility and deep motivation. No matter what, our team with our TSP family had an incredible, powerful, moving and unforgettable weekend. For me, it was even more special to have a chance to learn more about Pat, is love for the SEALS, his positive attitude, work ethic, dedication to his goals and sincere love for his job. With so many powerful interactions from our Memorial Day weekend, I was able to think of Pat, his servant leader mindset, and the choices he would have made when the going got tough.
I carried his stone with pride during the hike. I tried to think of others before myself – the Team mindset. I reflected on the what I had learned through the online memorials after his death; the YouTube videos and other tributes. My goal was to try, as best I could, to reflect the essence of who Pat was as a husband, son, veteran, teammate and friend with every step of that hike and all throughout the weekend.
When we reached the summit of Owl mountain on a near perfect weather day, with unlimited visibility, clear skies, warm air, and a cool breeze, we assembled our team for the sharing circle and when my turn came, I of course tried to recall what I had rehearsed – but the delivery is always different, and in my opinion, just the way it was supposed to be.
I shared a bit about Pat’s childhood. His dream of becoming a SEAL from a young age, his adventurous spirit and love of reading and cycling. I shared his perseverance to his goals, his discipline to become a stronger swimmer and let others down, but not let himself down either. Finally, I shared his love for others – to care for them, protect them, serve them and honor them.
I shared a bit about the Special Warfare culture and what being an elite special operator means and what the Navy SEAL ethos is like. I shared some quotes about pushing through adversity and finding that emotional, mental and physical strength just when you think you are completely depleted. Pat’s example of commitment and perseverance are lessons I will carry with me – particularly when Pat’s last moments in life were to render aid and give assistance to other teammates. That is who Pat was – a teammate and leader and protector.
Finally, I shared the story of the original Pat Feeks stone on Mt. Whitney, and the story from the day I took a picture on the Whitney summit over Labor Day weekend 2012 inspired the creation of The Summit Project in Maine.
I hope that in the years since that Whitney Hike, I, along with hundreds of other TSP volunteers have been able to honor the brave warriors who gave their lives for ours, warriors who spent their last moments on this Earth in defense of this country and of its people. Whether they died in a helicopter crash, and lost a battle with PTS, we try to understand and appreciate their devotion, love, or courage so we can continue their unfinished work toward creating a better tomorrow.
Our job now is to live a life that is worthy of both their sacrifice but also the sacrifice of their surviving family members who feel that Memorial Day comes every day, not once a year.
I recognized that Pat died in a war so that others could live in peace and I have faith that my Creator holds a special place for those who laid down their lives so that others may live free and protected.
I hope I accomplished my mission to honor, love and remember Pat in this special and solemn way. I want to honor a hero, but I also want to ensure that Pat’s legacy lives on so that his family can rest easy because they know, without a doubt, that Pat, because he is remembered, continues to add light the world and improves the lives of others. We hope that The Summit Project model works as it is supposed to: The acts of kindness, bravery, love, courage and resilience of our fallen are so important to share with future generations, that we designed our program to guarantee their stories are retold, over and over again. We believe that the best days of our state’s history are still ahead, and we want future generations of Mainers to know what it means to serve our country in uniform and make sacrifices for others.
We can never replace Pat. We can never repay Pat. But we can always remember Pat, and on this Memorial Day weekend it was truly an honor to dedicate this weekend to his memory and to keep his courage, compassion, service and love on my mind, so his memory could be delivered through my words and actions and help others feel inspired by his courage, bravery, love and service.
Maine Heroes are NOT Forgotten.
Sincerely and with the utmost respect,
David J. Cote
Major USMCR
Founder and President of the Board of Directors
Written on 29 May 2018
Beautifully written David! Thank you so much for keeping our Heroes memories alive. A Gold Star family’s greatest fear is that their Warrior will Be Forgotten. Perhaps one day we will be able to carry Patrick ‘s memorial stone up the summit.
Dear friends and family of Navy SO1 Patrick D. Feeks,
Hello I’m Michael Gagne and I’m a sophomore at Nokomis Regional High School. I had the opportunity to carry Navy SO1 Patrick D. Feeks stone from Gorham Maine. I carried the stone up and down Tumbledown Mountain on 8 June 2018 along with about 30 other sophomores in our JROTC class. This climb was very special to me not only because I had the honor to carry his stone but because I am terrified of heights, but I persevered and put my fear to the side for SO1 Feeks. I am honored that I was able to share this special view and feeling with SO1 Feeks.
I learned that Navy SO1 Patrick D. Feeks was from Gorham Maine and that he was 28 years old and had a family. I also learned that his wife Emily Feeks and her family picked out the stone on their property in Gorham Maine, in a flower garden outside their home. Patrick seemed like he didn’t give up easily and was a very likeable guy.
Again it was truly an honor to carry the stone of Navy SO1 Patrick D. Feeks. I persevered through my fear of heights for him, knowing the sacrifices he made us. He really put an impact on my life because I have always been scared of heights and he helped me get over it. I’ve tried to climb mountains in the past but never made it to the summit due to my fear. I’m proud that I had the opportunity to keep his great legacy alive, and learn so much about him.
Sincerely,
Michael Gagne
To the surviving family and friends of Navy Special Warfare Operator First Class Patrick D. Feeks,
I had the honor and privilege of carrying Patrick’s stone up the North Ridge Trail of Cadillac Mountain for TSP Acadia 2018. Once the hike was completed and we were off the summit, I found myself overcome with intense emotions. I wasn’t quite ready to let his stone go at the end of this event. But as I handed over the stone, I found warmth in knowing that this experience would be shared with others and stay with me forever more.
When I received my assignment, I first began by reviewing Patrick’s memorial pages. I found that his middle name is my daughter’s name…a coincidence, perhaps…but it was a beautifully emotional coincidence that began my journey learning a little bit more about Patrick each day leading up to the event. I spent each day reviewing and reflecting on the qualities that he had demonstrated in his youth and into his adult years. His passion, discipline, love for his family and career, and desire to help others are just a few of his incredible qualities I have been inspired to strive to carry on in my own life…and in his memory.
I may have had to physically return Patrick’s stone with me after this event, but I have continued to carry his story with me ever since. I will do my part to promote the incredible work and everything the Summit Project stands for any opportunity I may have. But most importantly, I will continue to tell his story each and every time I promote this project because Patrick exemplified what it means to be a true hero…and his story, service, and sacrifice will never be forgotten.
Respectfully submitted,
Courtney Evans
Bangor
Friends and Family of SO1 Patrick D. Feeks-
The Summit Project’s Honor Case has been at my employer, the Maine Turnpike Authority for a couple of months. The Maine Turnpike is known as the Gold Star Memorial Highway and it has been an honor to house the case at our offices. The case has been located in front of our E-ZPASS Customer Service Center, a great spot for the public to view it. In addition to the public taking notice MTA employees have as well. Today, May 10, 2019 a small, but mighty group of MTA employees headed out on a trek with some of the stones from the Honor Case. I had the privilege of carrying Patrick’s stone on a brief hike from the MTA’s office and along Portland Trails.
It was a rather dreary, rainy day but we felt that being a little damp and cold is nothing compared to what Patrick and your family has had to endure. I am in awe of what the family members of military sacrifice and I am so grateful for all you have given. It is amazing that Patrick knew what he wanted to do from such a young age and he lived that dream.
After the first time I read about Patrick I relayed what I had learned to my 14 year old son just so I could commit it to memory. He asked me when Patrick died and I had forgotten to notice that detail. When I looked back to find out I saw that it was 8/16/12. That is the date of the last wedding anniversary I ever spent with my husband who died in November of that year. So, while I picked the stone because of the connection to Gorham, not far from my hometown, there was another connection.
Thank you for all you have endured. One of my husband’s favorite phrases was “it’s all about the memories” I hope this holds true for you as well.
Sincerely,
Rebecca Grover
Falmouth, Maine
To the Family of SO1 Patrick Feeks,
It was my honor and privilege to Carry Patrick’s stone, story, but most important to remember his life and his sacrifice for us all. I started my journey in Littleton New Hampshire. I traveled to Mexico Maine To honor another fallen Maine hero Buddy McLain. Then I continued on to Ellsworth made to pick up my son Scott who joined me for the weekend honoring our heroes. When I got up at 5 o’clock on Saturday morning and looked out the window of the of the Cabin, it was cloudy-overcast and was not looking good. After getting dressed and having coffee, I got Scotty up and ready to go. It was cold and in the 50s (but it was nice). Upon arriving at the Main tent to check in, where most of my team was already there and ready to go. After the hiker brief. We were given a short prayer to protect us on our journey. We loaded the buses and headed to Cadillac Mountain. As we exited the buses and prepared ourselves to climb the mountain, the clouds just disappeared and the sun came out. It was almost like everyone of our fallen heroes got together in heaven and said, let’s make this day great and a GREAT DAY, it was. As we climbed the mountain we stopped a few times to take a break and take out the Stones of our fallen heroes and reflect on their lives and who they were. We were met along the trail many times by numerous different people from all over the United States that were hiking the mountain that day and I was happy to share Patrick story with everyone of them. When we finally reach the summit and we sat in a circle and told our stories about our fallen heroes the wind was a little chilly but the sun was out, and our heroes were still shining on us. After talking about our heroes for about an hour we got on the buses and went back to the campground. We were met by Gold-star families and Family representatives. Where we turned our hero’s stones back over to them. Again I am truly grateful and it was my true honor and privilege to Carry Patrick’s stone, story and to keep his legacy alive as long as I can. I will continue to carry it with me for the rest of my life and remind people that he is a true American hero to all of us.
Sincerely,
Shawn Boutaugh
USN 94-02
I am Tyler Hughes and I go to Nokomis High School. I carried the stone of Patrick Feeks. While I was climbing the mountain I thought of his family and his love for sports. Feeks loved his family, his family loved him, he came from a family full of people who were in the war his sister, wife, and dad all were in war. He liked to bike and among other things he was an avid sportsman. He always wanted to be a navy seal since he was a kid and made his dream come true. I will always remember this hike and the reason I climbed it.
On September 25, 2021 I have the honor of carrying the Stone and story of Patrick Feeks. This Years ANP event was much like the life of Patrick Feeks. Adapt and overcome. Feeks took any challenge and made it his own, just like we had to do this year. A rain and weather threatened our hike, but after last year that was just not acceptable. Thunder and lightning and days worth of rain made for a potentially dangerous hike, but there was no way we were not honoring our heroes.
While the route was altered, our mission was completed. No matter how long or short, how easy or hard the hike, the thoughts are always the same. No matter what I’m doing, it will never compare to the sacrifice made by the heroes we hike and their family. My mind sticks to the stone I’m carrying and I draw my strength from it.
We awoke to rain and fog and cold and started congregating at the main tent early in the morning. Predictions came that we may not be able to complete the climb of Cadillac due to potential weather events but were asked to hold tight while a plan was made. Ultimately, the decision was made to alter the course but to still complete a hike and our testimonial circle. After a short delay we got under way and made it to our destination all in tact and a little wet. Fortunately, the rain let up long enough for us to get our circles completed, and then started back up on our way back.
In the moment its easy for us to think that the day was so drab and dreary, but in comparison to the sacrifices that all of our heroes and their families have made it makes me grateful to be part of something so significant and be able to honor those that signed on the dotted line.
Thank you
I had the great honor of carrying the stone and story of Navy Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Patrick D. Feeks during our Memorial Weekend 2022 hike to the Owl in Baxter State Park for the Summit Project. Patrick’s story was one of perseverance, dedication, drive and commitment. He declared to his family at the age of 8 years old that he wanted to become a Navy Seal and he never wavered from that path. He was methodical in his training and read every book he could get his hands on regarding how to be a Navy Seal. Athletic by nature, he excelled at cycling and worked diligently to become a strong swimmer and outdoorsman.
Our hiking team moved quickly and with purpose to the summit of the Owl; eager to share our warrior’s stories and honor their memory. I spent a lot of time contemplating my words to share in the Circle and just kept coming back to one- Dedication. Patrick was dedicated. To the Navy, to crafting his career, to being the best Seal he could be, to continuing his family’s legacy of service. Dedication doesn’t come without difficulty but Patrick never let this stop him or alter his path. Seal training is well known for being among the most difficult and grueling of basic training but Patrick prevailed. While his career was sadly ended way too soon, his was the greatest sacrifice one could give for their county. I was so honored to share his story with my fellow team members and thank he and his family for their service. #MHANF
On September 9, 2022 I had the great honor and privilege of carrying Patrick’s stone. He was in great company with 19 other servicemembers’ stones, carried with reverence by the Togus VA Benefits Office leadership team. Many of the leaders on our hike are Veterans who also served tours in Southwest Asia, in similar locations as Patrick. I was assigned Patrick’s stone by my supervisor, and I gladly raised my hand to volunteer when I saw he was a fellow Navy sailor like myself. When I read about his early life and how he served, I could think of one good way to describe him without actually meeting him: “Patriot Warrior”. I served in the Navy, but I had never been ordered into harm’s way in the way that Patrick had. When I read how Patrick died, it really hit home and brought back some childhood memories from my father’s service in the Persian Gulf War back in 1990 – 1991. My father served as a medic in the Army, and his unit was also attacked by RPGs as they struggled to find their way through an incoming sandstorm in the desert. They lost a doctor and triage nurse in the attack, and the experience forever changed my father. I’m grateful for heroes like Patrick who knew the dangers of volunteering to serve their country and gave the ultimate sacrifice to preserve freedom both at home and abroad. I never had to face losing a family member or friend to war, but I just want you to know that Patrick and his service will never be forgotten. His memory and story will live on, with his stone as a permanent symbol of our commitment to never forget him. I’m proud to work for the VA in an organization that is dedicated to serve Veterans and their family members. I thank you again for the opportunity to carry Patrick’s stone and to think about him and your family during our walk.
On June 6th, 2023, I had the honor of carrying Navy Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Patrick D. Feeks’s stone to the top of Tumbledown Mountain in Mt. Blue State Park. When I saw his name on the roster, I read his story and immediately became intrigued. His story is extremely powerful, and his legacy is one for the books. I learned so much about him, which made carrying his stone that much more meaningful. Knowing that this wasn’t just a stone but a story all in itself. Within the engraved name and dates, there was a story that I was able to learn and teach to the other students from Nokomis Regional High. I was able to learn a few valuable lessons from this event that I want to keep with me. One of those lessons is that, despite difficulties and obstacles, if you’re motivated and eager to succeed, you can accomplish practically whatever you set your mind to. I was able to discover more about him and the person he was to others, including his roles as a son, spouse, teammate, and friend. His story is one of tenacity, courage, perseverance, and passion. It is impossible for me to express adequately how honored I felt to be given the chance to teach others about Patrick’s legacy and carry his stone up Tumbledown. This was a moment and a mind-altering event for me, not just an assignment or a grade. I was able to gain so much from his experiences and insightful lessons about ethics, despite the fact that I had never met him. My backpack was heavy during the ascent, and normally it would have been miserable but this hike was different. In addition to my heavy backpack and stone, I was also carrying a long legacy of a person whose contributions would never be forgotten.
Thank you so much for giving me and a group of JROTC students from Nokomis Regional High the honor of carrying the stones to the summit of Tumbledown Mountain and the chance to learn more about Maine’s fallen heroes. I learned so much from this experience about Patrick, the other stones, and the legacies that other hikers brought up the mountain with them. I appreciate being given the chance to learn more about Patrick’s life and carrying his stone up the mountain. He was devoted, which is something else I learned about him. He was committed to working hard so that he could succeed in his career and reach his full potential. I was beyond grateful and honored to carry Patrick’s stone up the mountain and carry his legacy, sacrifices, and valuable lessons. I felt extremely grateful to have the chance to share it with the other students and take him on yet another journey.
Thank you so much for the opportunity!
Hi Patrick and Patrick’s family,
On this past Saturday the 23rd, I had the honor and pleasure of taking Patrick with me while we ascended Cadillac Mt. I learned a lot about Patrick but the best part was my first impression of Patrick. Beard or no beard; he looked like a dedicated young man. You could see in his eyes that he was ready to defend each and every one of us if needed.
Aside from his athletic frame and mature gaze, I noticed he was smart too, designing his own workout regiment to achieve his goals. There are many things to remember about Patrick but some of my favorites were that he just brought a smile to my face the minute I first saw him. Also Patrick was clearly a capable person and he made extraordinary tasks just look simple.
He really set the example and that’s important to me especially since he knew success at a young age, being as disciplined as he was.
I am fortunate to have met Patrick and can’t wait to see him again,
Thank you all!!
Emily,
The weekend at New England Outdoor Center was spectacular. Seeing TSP family is always good for the soul. Tears, hugs, stories and laughter. All in honor of Maine’s Fallen Heroes.
Patrick’s stone and story have been on many hikes, and hearing the stories were always amazing, but taking the time to research and learn about Patrick made the stories truly hit home. His demeanor and approach to everything he did was above and beyond every ordinary person. He was an extraordinary husband, son, and soldier.
Our hike was with a great team. We saw a moose, off in the distance, but he was there. He stayed on the other side of the pond as we shared the stories of our heroes.
Emily, thank you for taking time out of your day to speak to me about Patrick. Hearing the stories from you brings them closer. There’s a lot of information out on the interweb, but spending time with family and hearing the stories from them is one of my favorite things. THANKS!
I will do my best to live a life worthy of your sacrifice and try my best to learn from your example.
Mike “Bazooka” Peterson
MHANF!