By Christian Pelusi
Navy EOD1 and 2011 USO Sailor of the Year Chad R. Regelin of
Anderson, Calif., was killed in action by a roadside bomb on Monday
while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
His older brother Justin told the Redding Record-Searchlight that Petty Officer Regelin was killed just an hour after speaking with his family over the phone.
“He
called us while he was on watch,” Justin said. “He was really upbeat
because he had just gotten his orders to come back stateside on Feb. 15.
He told us that he had about a week to go (in Kandahar) before they
could helicopter in the replacement team.”
Petty Officer Regelin was honored as USO Sailor of the Year at the 2011 USO Gala
for “distinguish[ing] himself during combat operations in Afghanistan
while assigned to the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit Three.” He
was on his second deployment to Afghanistan so he was unable to attend
the event last October. His parents, Shirene and Scott, accepted the
award in his absence.
His parents posted their emotions on Shirene Regelin’s Facebook page:
“Thank
You Everyone…My heart is absolutly [sic] breaking at this time!! I
wish someone could tell me it is not true!!! I don’t think I will ever
get the picture out of my mind of the four men standing at the door to
give me the news. I just want him to come home and let me hug him. I
honestly do not know how I am going to get through this!! I LOVE YOU
CHAD!!!”
“The USO family is deeply saddened to learn of U.S. Navy
Petty Officer Chad R. Regelin’s death,” said USO President Sloan Gibson.
“The USO was honored to hear Chad’s story and meet his family and we
know that he was an inspiration to family, friends and those with whom
he served. That night Chad and his family became heroes to all of us
here at the USO. We are so honored to have spent time with the Regelins
and our thoughts and prayers are with them now.”
Regelin was
assigned as an explosive ordnance disposal technician to Marine Special
Operations Company Bravo and was stationed at Explosive Ordnance
Disposal Mobile Unit 3, San Diego, Calif.
For further details on the passing of Petty Officer Regelin, click over to coverage from his hometown paper, the Anderson Valley Post.
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