A year after the USS John McCain crashed into a container ship near Singapore — resulting in the deaths of 10 sailors — the grandparents of a victim from Maryland paid tribute to him Tuesday.
Timothy Eckels’ grandparents said they feel closer to him at Arlington National Cemetery, where he was buried with full honors.
“I want to go over there and tell him that the Washington Capitals finally won the Stanley Cup,” said his grandfather, Irvin Pinkston.
Eckels was his only grandson.
“He gave me a lot of cheer and a lot of life,” Pinkston said.
He served in the Army, so after Eckels enlisted in the Navy, some of their greatest times were betting on the big football game.
“He owed me $50 from the Army-Navy game, but you know I overlooked it,” Pinkston said.
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It was a dream to attend the game together one day, but that changed Aug. 21, 2017, when Eckels’ ship, the USS McCain, collided with a merchant vessel, trapping 10 sailors inside.
“I got up 5:30 in the morning because that’s when we got the message and I just got on my knees and said a prayer,” Pinkston said.
Eckels was presumed missing. His body and the bodies of the other nine sailors were found.
Eckels’ mother was in Japan Tuesday for a ceremony honoring the 10 sailors.
