Cmdr. Hook remembered

FALLON " The highly decorated Naval aviator and executive officer of Naval Air Station Fallon who died eight days ago in a small plane crash, was remembered at a military funeral Saturday that drew about 800 mourners from both the civilian and military communities.

Cmdr. Luther Harold Hook III and three of his daughters " 15-year-old Kaitlyn, 12-year-old Rachel and 9-year-old Mackenzie " died when his Cessna 320 plane crashed May 22 about one mile east of Fallon Municipal Airport. Hook was returning from Fresno, Calif., where he flew to pick up his daughters from a previous marriage for a weekend visit.

Two jets, an F-5 and an F/A-18, parked before a huge American flag both bore Hook's name and his call sign, "Meat." A table displayed Hook's portrait, his officer's cap and his flight helmet. A shadow box " in the shape of an aircraft's vertical fin " held the medals Hook received during his 23 years in the U.S. Navy. While the stage was already flanked with flowers, more arrangements were brought in as the start of the ceremony drew near.

The audience quietly stood while Hook's family filed into the hanger " his wife, Wende, escorted by her young daughters Alexandra and Camryn. Hook's grown daughters Jocelyn and Belle were joined by their family from California.

In the moments before the service began, the stillness in the hanger was punctuated by the sound of two jets taking off " a visible reminder of the passion Hook had for Naval aviation.

Pastor Woody Swenson of Parkside Bible Fellowship asked for blessings of peace and comfort "in this time of shock and loss for the family and the community" and read the 23rd Psalm.

Capt. Scott Ryder, former commanding officer of NAS Fallon and a grieving friend, said Hook was many things to many people " a son, a student, a shipmate, a teammate, a father and a husband.

"We were all privileged to know the son you bore," Ryder said to Hook's mother, Betty West.

Turning to Wende, Ryder credited her for making Hook "the happiest he'd ever been."

"'Meat' Hook, the family man, is one of the ways I'll choose to remember him" Ryder said, recalling the numerous times he approved Hook's leaves to visit family in his homestate of Florida.

Ryder noted that Hook's flying skills were stellar, which makes the tragedy difficult for anyone to accept. He also said the magnitude of the accident is greater because Hook's daughters also lost their lives.

"The collective heart of Naval aviation grieves with the family over the loss of Luke and his girls," Ryder said, struggling to maintain his composure.

Capt. Bert Speir (ret.) also shared his memories of Hook while the aviator was attending the U.S. Naval Academy as a student. Speir was a mentor to Hook and welcomed the young man " whom he regarded as a second son " into his home during the academy years. He said when he first met Hook, the teen had a shaved head and was a little scared of the challenges at the academy, but over the course of four years, he excelled and graduated from the academy in 1986.

"He was always a gentleman, a true Southern gentleman," Speir recalled, emotion choking his voice. "He was a role model for his love of his country, the Navy, his family and his friends."

Capt. Michael Glaser, commanding officer of NAS Fallon, began his eulogy by reciting Hook's full name " the first time he had ever done so. On the base, Hook was known as 'Meat' and to his family he was Harold or Luke ... or dad.

"All those different names show us the many ways 'Meat' touched our lives," Glaser said. "All who had the opportunity to know Meat are richer for that experience."

NAS Fallon Chaplain Michael Bigelow said all good, perfect gifts come from God above, but acknowledged this tragedy is not a welcomed gift " it's something all want to return. He touched on how Hook's passing will effect the family he left behind.

"We want him to walk us down the aisle, we want him to welcome his grandchild that's on the way," Bigelow said, offering assurance that God is with those grieving as they walk through the Valley of the Shadow of Death.

Bigelow brought smiles to the faces of those in attendance when he shared how Hook and Wende met. Hook's daughter Mackenzie and Wende's daughter Alexandra were on the same soccer team and "plotted" to play matchmakers for their parents.

"You both had a second chance at love," Bigelow said, looking toward Wende who sat with her daughter Camryn on her lap and her mother by her side.

Both Hook and Wende attempted to play an April Fool's joke on his mother to make her believe Wende was pregnant. However, Bigelow said, the joke was on them when Wende learned a week later she truly was pregnant.

Bigelow recalled the Sunday at Parkside Bible Fellowship months later when Hook stood up proudly to introduce his newborn daughter, Camryn, to the congregation.

"You could just see and feel the love in his eyes," Bigelow said.

Bigelow concluded his remarks by reading a letter written by Alexandra, Hook's step-daughter, to her grieving mother. In it, she said she was visited by Hook in a dream to deliver a message to Wende and the family.

"The girls and I are in a good and better place ... We are next to you and holding your hand ... The Lord put us on the earth and will take us off."

A 21-gun salute by the U.S. Marine Corps honor guard echoed in the hangar. The smell of gunpowder wafted through the hanger as the mournful sound of "Taps" filled the air. As the audience stood facing the flight line, a formation of four F/A-18s approached. One jet peeled out of the formation, climbing toward the heavens, while the remaining three jets screamed over the hanger in the missing man formation.

Rear Adm. Garland P. Wright Jr., deputy commander of Navy Region Southwest, solemnly presented a folded flag to Wende and stood before her several moments before curling his fingers and lowering his salute.