05/29/2023
The US Naval Sea Cadet Corps Worcester Division participated in the town of Northbridge’s Memorial Day parade and ceremony as the lead honor guard guiding the entire parade, as well as a company marching shortly behind.
Our Division, and our family has sacrificed so much and we would like to take this time to remember our division members who have served our nation and have passed away.
Gary W. Neisz
Commanding Officer
Worcester (CL-144) Division
U.S. Naval Sea Cadets
2000 to 2004
Gary Neisz served as the third Commanding Officer of Worcester (CL 144) Division of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadets from June 2000 until his death in February 2004. A decorated combat veteran of the Vietnam War, Gary devoted his life to the service of his country and its citizens. He was highly active in the Marine Corps Toys for Tot program and served as the Director of the Family Support Advocacy Program at Naval and Marine Corps Reserve Center Worcester, Massachusetts. Gary’s influence on the Sea Cadets was wide reaching. Through his efforts, the division became one of the hallmark units in the New England Region and the Nation. In his honor, the Gary Neisz Memorial Scholarship was established in 2004. Each year a graduating cadet from Worcester (CL 144) Division who best displays the traits of Honor, Courage and Commitment will receive this scholarship. It is a fitting tribute to a man who gave so much, and asked for nothing in return.
Jacob D. Shane
Petty Officer 2nd Class
Worcester CL-144 Division
Jacob D. Shane, 30, of Milford, passed away peacefully at home on Thurs. October 5, 2017 with his family by his side. Jake was born December 19, 1986 in Milford the son of Deborah Shane of Milford and David Shane and his wife Ann of Northbridge. He was a graduate of Nipmuc Regional High School, class of 2005 and entered the U. S. Marines after graduating. Jake wore many hats over his short life but the two closest to his heart were being a United States Marine Reservist and being part of the brotherhood of the Hopedale Call Fire Department. While in the Reserves, he was activated in 2009 and served one tour in Iraq. He loved being a Marine but his true calling and love was being a firefighter. He served as a call fire-fighter on the Mendon Fire Department before joining the Hopedale Fire Department, where he retired as a Call Lieutenant after being diagnosed with brain cancer in early 2015. Throughout his ordeal Jacob was stoic and strong, never complaining or giving in. Jacob called the shots from day one, always running the show. We will miss his sense of humor, his brilliant wit and sarcasm and most of all, Jacob being Jacob.
And our brother in arms who was killed in action
1st Lieutenant Joshua Booth
Cadet Petty Officer 2nd Class
Worcester CL-144 Division
Josh was a member of Worcester Cl-144 division and upon graduating from the program he then went to the Citadel of North Carolina and commissioned within the USMC. When he was 7 years old, Joshua L. Booth _ a recent transplant from Virginia to Massachusetts _ hopped on the bus and went to his elementary school dressed as Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. "They had a class on American history and the teacher encouraged him to present the other side," said his father, Jack. "So Josh dressed up and went in school as Robert E. Lee." "Josh was too little and did not realize that the bus would be a vicious place for someone dressed as Robert E. Lee," his mother, Debra, said with a laugh. Booth, 23, of Sturbridge, Mass., was shot dead Oct. 17 while on foot patrol in Haditha. He graduated from The Citadel Military College in 2005 and was assigned to Kaneohe Bay. In Iraq, he led three patrols a day to glean intelligence from Iraqi citizens. He is survived by his wife, Erica, and a 1-year-old daughter, Grace. Erica is pregnant with a boy to be named Tristan Joshua. Booth was buried in a family plot in Bedford, Va., even though he qualified to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery. "He felt if anybody should be buried there, his men should be buried there," Debra Booth said.
May they all rest in the most eternal peace…
