I snapped this picture as David was disembarking the ship after deployment in December. I am so sorry for your loss. May God comfort and heal you during this difficult time. Love and blessings to all of you!
Dawn
There's too many to count, but this particular one stands out in my mind . . .
We were on campus during a break, and it just so happened to be while the south was getting hit by Hurricane Katrina (I think). David, Pete, and I were bored in the dorms and it was raining so we couldn't go to the golf course like we normally would. Around lunch time we decided to hit up the student union for some Subway, Wendy's, or whatever the other two choices were before they remodeled the place. So we get done with lunch and decide to go to the bookstore to waste a little more time before we went back to boredom in the dorms.
As we are exiting the bookstore, we start to hear the wind pick up a little bit. . . then a little bit more . . . then a lot! Over one of the commuter lots we could start to see roofing shingles spinning in the air, meanwhile the wind just kept getting louder and louder. Next thing we know, the bottom drops out and we are in a full fledged panic wondering what to do. Keep in mind that the distance between the dorms and the student union was roughly 400-500 yards (if I remember correctly). The three of us start to book it as fast as we can back to the dorms, and Dave stops dead in his tracks and yells at the top of his lungs . . . "IT'S A TORNADO!" I remember thinking "Ya think Dave! Run!" I had sandals on which was a task in itself, but we were dodging falling limbs and tripping in puddles all the way back to the dorm where everyone else was waiting on the bottom floor. As we busted to the door they all had the look on their faces that said "What the hell are you guys thinking being out there!"
Dave was one of my best friends at State, and while this is just one memory of him, there were many more on the golf course, tailgating before games, in class, meeting Jared the Subway Guy, and pretty much everwhere on campus that made my experience there a great one. He was always making his friends laugh, and always having a good time regardless of the setting.
I'm gonna miss you buddy.
Just one of many memories of you was our first MSU football game and tailgating. Fun time! I enjoyed the time on the links with you as well. You were a great time and always brought laughter where ever you went.
The world lost a great guy and you will be very missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to your family.
RIP Popper
