On Thursday, the 8th of November, while co-piloting an incentive flight for military personnel in his Blackhawk helicopter, our dear friend and hero Dave Alvarez was killed in the operation. Of the eleven passengers, five others also perished through the tragedy. The site of the crash was in the historic river-bed of the Piave located north of Treviso, Italy.Dave is survived by his loving wife, Rachael. He is also survived by his mother Nancy & step-dad Max Maxwell, his natural father David, his Grandma Grace, little sister Angelica, step-brother Mike Maxwell, 2 step-sisters Sherry Smith and Jodi Lamb, and lots of cousins, aunts, and uncles.
In devotion and honor, we dedicate this site to Dave's memory and to recount his story. We invite you as family and friends to share your comments and condolences. You may also make a donation in Dave's memory to his favorite charity that cares for Croatian foster children.
In Italian, the Blackhawk is called Falco nero. And while Dave's last flight in Italy ended darkly, his memory is shared brightly among all who knew and loved him.
9 comments:
Nino,
You will never be forgotton brother. You were the one who helped me through tough times back in our old unit. I remember you taking me running (which I hated)on "Disney" road in Bagram AB back when there was nothing built. Also, remember when you took the gator out for a joy ride? Good times.....and how about when you took the initiative to wash my Jeep at our old Clarksville house....and the time when I was deployed and you just got back from a trip and immediately found out we had to move out of the house we were renting, and you moved all my stuff.....you always looked out for me Dave.....you were always there to lend a helping hand......thanks for being a GREAT buddy.....I'll miss those famous Dave's oven baked nachos you showed me how to make......I won't forget the times spent in the aircraft carrier and how we relaxed after the missions....good times.....I'm glad to have shared the most ever in my life memorable Christmas in 2002, that I can vividly remember, we and some other old fellow Nightstalkers were huddled around an empty 50-gallon oil drum shivering in the snow and burning wood just to stay warm during OEF 2002.....it was colder in our tent than it was outside.....Christmas 2002......oh the blind date that I took you on....I'm very happy it all turned out for the best of both you and Rach. Although I know you are now in heaven......in a peaceful place from above looking down and overwatching/safeguarding all of those who you have touched with your kind friendship and love, you will be missed.
Always your buddy,
Nolan S. "Al"cantara
David,
I remember when I met you that July summer. You complained that it was too hot in Texas. When I would talked to Rachael, I would ask how you were doing and she would tell me what you were doing in the Army. When I talked to mom I would also ask about you guys and she would tell me what Rachael said you were doing and all the trips you guys were going on. You will be missed and loved. I am praying for you up in heaven and for Rachael here on earth. Nick loved visiting you and the 60's he got to see. He said to me that one day he wanted to fly 60's just like his Uncle David. One more thing, you will understand this and be laughing about this as you are looking down from heaven: "IF SIZE DIDN'T MATTER WE'D ALL FLY 60'S."
Love You Always,
Natasha
Though I did not know you, we are cousins; your Grandmother is also my Tia Chella. I am proud of your accomplishments, I am proud to call you my cousin, not so proud that I did not know you; I wish I knew you better. Thank you for serving our country. You are a hero.
Raymond Esquivel
Nino,
Where do I start my brother? During the past week I have been revisiting the memories we share and boy let me tell ya, we have some good ones!
I will never forget the day I met you. You were sitting on the flight line with your boots and socks off air drying you feet. I asked someone later what you were doing and all the told me was, "he's a pretty boy." Sharing some of your same qualities (Neat freak obsession and borderline perfectionist attitude) explains why we became such good friends.
As for memories, remember flipping the 4-wheeler while deployed, nightly NVG missions on foot, Gator resupplies (Their still looking for all those sodas), Bargaining with the dune coon children while out on our runs, NAVY showers, raw hamburgers for Thanksgiving in Pakistan, "got dune coon", firecrackers on your window sill because you wouldn’t hang out, how about the black ops mission with you, me, and Marco or the paintball missions in the woods behind my house. Remember the all-nighter you pulled helping us pack up to move back to CA? You were a True Friend!!
I am grateful to have had a friend of such high caliber to serve next to in battle. You always helped me focus on the positive instead of the negative. You are a true warrior and a hero!
I knew once you and Rachael met I was going to be on the back burner which I didn’t know how to take at first. It didn’t take long before I realized how much she meant to you which was awesome to witness. I believe she is the best thing that ever happened to you and I’m sure you agree.
I can’t explain how happy I was to hear about you becoming closer to the Lord and all the good things you were becoming a part of in Italy.
Knowing that our lives are in God’s hands I can’t understand why things like these happen to such great people.
I Love You Bro, and my American flag is still at half mast for you which I am sure you have a great view of from where you are now.
RJ
NSDQ
"Legends never die"
"The Lord knows the way I take, and when He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold"
JOB 23:10
Visit:
http://www.nightstalkers.com/prayers/index.html
Even though we never met, we shared common bonds in family, and through country. I'm one of Rachael's cousins from Ohio. My military days have passed, but reading about your best friend's comments clearly speaks about the uniqueness of serving. We find simple things are important, and stories just seem to come natural. When I received the call that I would never get to know you in this world, I thought about my life. Perhaps it’s the shortness of it all. Where things make the most sense, as your relationship’s speak, it’s in these simple things that seem to have defined your life.
I love little baby ducks, old pick-up trucks, slow-moving trains, and rain
I love little country streams, sleep without dreams, sunday school in may,
And hay
And I love you too
I love leaves in the wind, pictures of my friends, birds in the world, and squirrels
I love coffee in a cup, little fuzzy pups, bourbon in a glass, and grass
And I love you too
I love honest open smiles, kisses from a child, tomatoes on the vine, and onions
I love winners when they cry, losers when they try, music when its good, and life
And I love you too
Tom T. Hall
No farewell words were spoken,
No time to say goodbye,
You were gone before we knew it,
And only God knows why.
Dave!
David Alvarez, how much can I say of such a great man in such little time.
Many knew him as Dave; to his parents he was Davi; to fellow pilots in these past few years, he was called “B” with much affection; and for many years as a crew chief in the 160th, were he earned most of his war time decorations and was known very well, he was known as Nino. However you knew him, we all loved him the same.
Dave and I met about three and a half years ago, during our initial Warrant Officer training course at Ft. Rucker, AL. We both moved to Aviano, Italy after school on our first assignment, so we naturally stuck together. We found out that we were both Chinook crew chiefs during the same time and stationed in the same place twice (Ft. Campbell, KY. & Bagram, AF.) without even knowing each other. It was always amazing to me to see how our lives cross paths several times to eventually meet at a perfect time in both of our lives.
Dave really influenced my life in many ways. I thought of him as Mr. Detail. He would clean his truck so thoroughly that you might feel uncomfortable riding in it just to go for some lunch. His workout discipline was a motivation to me. He could do pull-ups like no one I had ever seen in my life. He would do about 25 pull-ups without giving a hint of struggle or any deep breathing and stop because he felt a little tired. Dave really did not like running but he would do it because knew he had to. He was always good enough to keep me striving for more.
Dave was a man of few words but much service. He was always the first person I would call if I needed anything and he never let me down. He was a guy that would rather sit back and take everything in around him than to be the center of attention. He was most comfortable when he was away somewhere spending time with his girls, Rachel (his wife), and Bella and Leah (his two dogs). You could often find this family of four spending quality time together. Only a privileged few knew of his "true identity". He was the original Beast Master. Any animal that met Dave always wanted to go home with him, especially my dog “Lola”.
I have many great memories of Dave but what I will treasure most was the many times we studied the Bible together. It all began over a year ago when Dave gave his life to the Lord. He told us about his decision during a men’s retreat in November 2006 and I few moths later I had the privilege to baptize him in the Santissima waters. It’s funny because I would share a verse with him and he had no eloquent words to say. He would either say “I don’t get it” or “HMM! I like that one”. Dave was a very simple guy but what a great heart. It is amazing to me that the one I discipled will one day be teaching me of things in heaven. As a very young boy, Dave told his mother, “Mom, I’m going to see Jesus in my lifetime” and she said that she was sure he would and that is exactly where he is at right now. I am thankful that I had this opportunity today to share with you a little about Dave and the joy he had loving Jesus Christ. Though we will miss Dave, I have peace in knowing that he is in a better place and that we will see each other one day on heaven’s shores. Until then, we love you Dave!
Here is a link to a website dedicated to the soldiers and families of the United States Army's Aviation Branch who have paid the ultimate price for freedom and liberties enjoyed today by all Americans.
NSDQ!
http://www.armyaircrews.com/blackhawk.html
Well here goes, I am not very good at this, but I would like to leave a few short memories of Nino. I hope these bring back old memories, a slight chuckle and smile to everyone’s faces
In some way Nino was involved in the following lessons learned:
It is not a good idea to put white KIWI (shoe polish) onto the windows of a white minivan (TDY Rental). At approx 90 degrees Kiwi will bake onto windows in the sun. Remember how clean Dave was? (Only a small razor blade and a long day will take it off).
Wrapping some ones rental car completely in plastic wrap is a good way to get them back. (20 dollars will get you a lot of cheap plastic wrap) Thanks Dave
It is not a good idea to flip a 4 wheeler and land on your face in front of a base commander. (Command will take away the 4 wheeler if this happens)
It is not a good idea to tie a old bike with no pedals to a 4 wheeler and tow a person down a road with speed bumps. (Old bikes wheels fall off when they hit speed bumps)
Jumping off of sand dunes in white sands looks like fun but really hurts at the bottom.
It is very easy to load 5 extremely large pallets of water weighing over 2,000 lbs each onto a Chinook with no rollers. (Internal winch) It is very difficult to take them off in the middle of the desert. (Floor bolts will snap off and leave large holes in the aircraft when pallets are pulled off at a high speed by a truck and a cable)
These are just but a few of my memories that will always bring a smile to my face and will be talked about for years and years to come.
Dave you were with me on many very demanding missions. You watched my back, protected, and consoled me in times of need. You were there to laugh with and also to cry on. Thank you for the friendship, brotherhood, and joy you have brought into my life as well as others. You will be missed. While you look down upon us, I am sure you will watch our backs and hopefully hint to us when something might not be the best idea. Or laugh with us as we learn from it. God bless you.
NSDQ Spirit of the warrior. Devon
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