Fair winds and following seas

Lt. Cmdr. Scott Bracher, Dec. 27, 1971 - Sept. 21, 2005

The more than 600 attendees at the service heard speaker after speaker recall the outstanding service these two young aviators had given to the nation and of the friendships shared over the years.

''This morning, we gather to celebrate Scott and Tom's life, legacy and their commitment and dedication to our great nation through selfless, honorable service,'' said VS-32 Commanding Officer Cmdr. William Henderson during his remarks.

''They, as many before them, paid the ultimate sacrifice in defense of ideas which our country was founded upon,'' Henderson continued. ''During our early fight to freedom, Gen. George Washing-ton once said as he stood outnumbered in defense of Long Island, 'Remember officers and soldiers that you are fighting for the blessing of freedom.'''

''With 22 years of combined naval service, Scott and Tom stood the watch supporting and defending the rally cry of our founding fathers,'' he added.

Lt. Cmdr. Thomas E. Blake, Aug. 20, 1972 - Sept. 21, 2005

Throughout the service, Blake and Bracher were described as men of impeccable character, moral courage, honor and integrity, who made an unquestionable contribution to the brotherhood of naval aviators. Their passion to wear the wings of gold set the example for others to follow.

''This memorial is for two stand-up guys as Bill O'Reilly would say, Tom Blake and Scott Bracher,'' said Lt. Cmdr. Fernando Garcia of VS-32. ''Two top-notch fellas whose integrity and values were commensurate with everything the Navy and our country stand for. I was fortunate to know them both, if even for a short time.''

''Tom has been my friend, confidant and my buddy. Tom's wife, Jessica and my wife, Jennifer, are best friends and talk incessantly,'' added Garcia, a close friend of Blake. ''His life was so full, so precious and so not yet fulfilled and to try and summarize it all is going to be difficult. I can only share with you the pieces of his life that I experienced with him.''

''But, as you can see by the size of the crowd here today, there are many who have been touched by Tom. His impact on all of us will remain forever,'' he continued.

''This is a devastating loss for all of us,'' stated Lt. Andrew Wylie of VT-86 at NAS Pensacola, as he recalled his friendship with Bracher. ''Scott was a son, a brother and a friend. It is hard to say all that needs to be said. How can a man's life be summarized in a few minute's speech? He was energetic and studious.''

''Scott was modest, dependable, focused and precise. Never one to take the easy road. He was my drinking buddy. Pizza and cold beer at Ozone's, Thursday's at McGuire, an epic road trip to New Orleans,'' he reminisced. ''I can't tell you how much I'm going to miss ''Bitches'' (Bracher's call sign). Despite leaving us too seemingly premature, Scott is lucky enough to have left behind no regrets.''

Naval Reservist Lt. Cmdr. Todd Brown a roommate of Bracher during his Naval Academy years said, ''Scott gave it all, he asked fornothing and I'm going to miss him. This memorial service is very fitting of a naval aviator that was the best of the best.''

Jennifer Baker, a spouse of a VS-32 pilot and a close friend of Scott, remembered the fallen aviator for his enthusiasm and dancing skills. ''Nothing we can do can ever truly honor the caliber of the person Scott was,'' she stated. ''I met him when I met my husband and loved dancing with him to the Jackson Five. He was a 6-foot-3-inch white boy, but he could move. He was a favorite among all the wives for this reason.''

''Tom and Scott's service embodied the immortal words of our late President Ronald Reagan, 'We will always remember, we will always be proud, we will always be prepared, so we may always be free,''' Henderson said.

Following the service, fellow military and civilian members, family and friends gathered at the NAS Jax Officers' Club for a reception.