Popeye, FYI...more info.
I talked to some folks on NNS (Norfolk Naval Station). According to them, apparently the young Petty Officer 2nd Class, Mark Mayo, was the Head of the Base Watch that night. He saw the truck come on base and was suspicious because of an incident with a similar truck (different driver) some days earlier.
He followed it and when he saw it stop near the USS Mahan and the driver get out and start up the gang way...he began running to the ship. The Sailor at the top of the gangway on watch was a female sailor whom this person approached and then began struggling with. He (this large, powerfully built ex-convict who had spent time in prison for attempted murder and crack cocaine) overpowered her and took her gun.
That's when Mayo arrived and pushed the female sailor to the deck and himself took the bullets the intruder fired. That gave the other sailors on watch on the USS Mahan the time to fire their weapons and cut the intruder down.
We lost a great American on Monday. A brave, dedicated patriot who was willing to do his duty and protect a US vessel and its sailors no matter the cost. No telling where this young man may have gone in his career. And we lost him to a vicious killer, who had been in prison for attempted murder one time and for crack cocaine another...and who should never have been on that base. What a travesty, but now God in Heaven and His Son have welcomed this young man home.
A sad as it is, it is heartening to know and see good American parents raising such patriots.
Again God's rest to Mark Mayo, and God's comfort to his family and friends. They should most definitely name a vessel after him.
I am copying this entire discussion over to the Breaking News Thread...IMHO, it deserves to be seen by more members.
