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- [S927] Obituary.
PARKERSBURG, W. Va. (NNS) -- A chief explosive ordnance disposal technician was honored and laid to rest in Parkersburg, W. Va. at Sunset Memory Gardens Aug. 21.
Chief (select) Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician (EWS/FPJ/DV) Nicholas H. Null was one of 22 naval special warfare operators killed when a CH-47 Chinook crashed in Afghanistan Aug. 6.
Hundreds of service members from across the U.S. Armed Forces joined Parkersburg citizens at Null's Parkersburg South High School for the service.
Passing through a contingent of W. Va. Patriot Guard riders who were lining the entrance holding American flags, the attendees took their seats on folding chairs in the Roy McCase gymnasium bleachers.
Null's wife was presented with a Bronze Star as a photo slideshow that captured Null as a soldier, father and husband, played on a screen to John Denver's "Country Roads".
The memorial service allowed Null's professional and personal friends to share their memories. Following the eulogies, the newly-selected chief's anchors were presented to his family.
"I've been in the Navy for twenty-four years. My two proudest moments in the Navy were when Nick became a master EOD tech, and I read the message announcing that he made chief," said Senior Chief Explosive Ordnance Technician Tom Gurra. "I've been carrying anchors around for nine years waiting to give them to him, and I'm proud to be able to give them to him today."
Following the service, Null was laid to rest at Sunset Memory Gardens in Parkersburg. Marines rendered a 21-gun salute, followed by a bugler playing taps. The honor guard folded the flag over Null's casket and Null's friends presented it to his family along with three other American flags to close the service.
Null's wife reflected on his life and the impact on those he had left behind releasing this statement.
"To everyone that has been here with us through this time; family, friends, our EOD family - thank you," she said. "Words don't seem to cover all that you have done for us," she said. "If you knew Nick, then you would know that he would rather do what he loved to do, give all that he had to give, and not ask for anything in return. He never wanted to be put on a pedestal and would have probably smiled at the idea of being called a hero. What I think would have made him most happy is to see all of his friends and family coming together making the most of the freedoms he fought so hard to protect, and him knowing this: Nick we love you. I love you... we will all miss you very, very much."
Null joined the Navy in 2000 and had been stationed in Virginia Beach since 2007. He reported to an East Coast Based Special Warfare Unit in 2009. Null also served in Iraq and Afghanistan and was awarded three Bronze Star medals, two with valor.
Other awards include two combat action ribbons and a presidential unit citation, as well as a national defense service medal.
EOD Wounded Warrior has created a fund for both of the members lost in the crash. Donations for the Null family can be made to the Nick Null Memorial Fund through Navy Federal Credit Union at account 6085236.
- [S926] Find-A-Grave, (www.findagrave.com).
Nicholas Heath Null
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Birth: Mar. 30, 1981
West Virginia, USA
Death: Aug. 6, 2011, Afghanistan
US NAVY
SEAL
AFHANISTAN
Nicholas 30, of Washington, W.Va.; assigned to an East Coast-based SEAL team; died Aug. 6 in Wardak province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when the CH-47 Chinook helicopter in which he was riding was shot down.
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Chief Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician (EXW/FPJ/DV) Nicholas H. Null, 30, of Washington, W.Va., enlisted in September 2000, the Navy said.
After finishing basic training and initial service school training, he was assigned in May 2001 to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 6, Panama City, Fla. He later joined Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 2, Virginia Beach, Va.
He was assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 12, Virginia Beach, in May 2007, and returned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 2 two months later. He joined his East Coast-based SEAL team in January 2009.
His decorations include two Bronze Star Medals (one with eV' device for valor), two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals with eV' device for valor, three Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals (one with eV' for valor), two Combat Action Ribbons, Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Commendation, three Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, two Iraq Campaign Medals, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, four Sea Service Deployment Ribbons, Rifle Marksmanship Medal and Pistol Marksmanship Medal.
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(This is just a memorial)
His remains are at
Sunset Memory Gardens
Parkersburg
Wood County
West Virginia, USA
Plot: Garden of Ascension
Burial:
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington
Arlington County
Virginia, USA
Plot: Section 60 Site 9938
Created by: Papawraith
Record added: Jan 29, 2012
Find A Grave Memorial# 84181436
- [S8] Information from an informant - Auskunft eines Informanten - Information d'un informateur.
Proposed Change: Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician Nicholas Heath
Null (I380757) Tree: Suedpfalz Link:
http://www.birkenhoerdt.net/getperson.php?personID=I380757&tree=1
Description: Prefix: Chief Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician
(EXW/FPJ/DV) US Navy Born: Washington, Wood County, West Virginia, USA
Died: Wardak-Maidan, Wardak, Afghanistan Buried: Sunset Memory Gardens,
Lubeck, Wood County, West Virginia, USA Chief Null is here;
www.findagrave.com/memorial/97587184/nicholas-heath-null The memorial
here; www.findagrave.com/memorial/84181436/nicholas-heath-null This 2nd
one, at Arlington National Cemetery is a cenotaph. We Navy Men stick
together and we are also sticklers for correct details!
Mariner's Knoll Genealogy USA
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1981 - 2011 (30 years)