PORT ANGELES — More than 50 military veterans, dignitaries and common citizens joined the family of a Navy Seabee whose death prompted a change in military protocol to dedicate a Gold Star banner in his honor.
Joshua Dae Ho Carrell, who was raised in Port Angeles, was serving in Monrovia, Liberia, when he contracted malaria last December.
He died of complications of the mosquito-borne disease Dec. 26 in Germany.
He was 23.
The Gold Star banner dedicated to Carrell pays tribute to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice while serving their country.
The sign bearing Carrell’s name is attached to a utility pole on the east side of Lincoln Street between Veterans Memorial Park and the Clallam County Courthouse. It was dedicated on Friday and sponsored by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1024.
“The attention that is paid to the circumstances of Joshua Carrell’s death will save untold lives in the future as the military reviews the situation,” said William Minor, VFW Post 1024 commander, at the Gold Star ceremony.
“The legacy of his experience and the sacredness of his sacrifice will affect us all for years to come.”
Bell-ringing ceremony
Friday’s dedication was held shortly after the monthly bell-ringing ceremony for veterans who have died in the past month. A bell-ringing ceremony takes place on the last Friday of each month Veterans Memorial Park.
An Honor Guard from Camp Murray was on hand for a ceremony that featured renditions of the “Star Spangled Banner” and “God Bless America” performed by Amanda Bacon, and the playing of “Amazing Grace” on bagpipes and taps.
Members of the Patriot Guard held American flags as the bell sounded for each of the 20 veterans who died during the past month.
Port Angeles Mayor Dan Di Guilio and fellow city council members Brad Collins and Patrick Downie attended the bell-ringing ceremony and the Gold Star ceremony for Carrell.
Changed protocol
After the Gold Star ceremony, Carrell’s mother, Rhonda Carrell, said the Navy has changed its protocol to prevent more malaria deaths.
“They watch them take the [antibiotic] Doxycycline,” Rhonda Carrell said.
“It’s called Direct Observation Therapy. And that changed right after this happened. We don’t want it to happen to somebody else.”
The family has already raised $700 for mosquito nets and mosquito repellent for service members, she said.
“We want to make sure that when our military goes overseas that they have all of the nets and the DEET so they don’t get hurt,” Rhonda Carrell said.
Minor, who knew Carrell and presided over the Gold Star ceremony, said the military is taking steps to prevent other malaria deaths.
Hundreds mourned
Hundreds of mourners attended a service for Petty Officer Carrell at a naval station in Spain after his death, and hundreds more attended his funeral at Independent Bible Church in Port Angeles.
He was building a hospital with his fellow Seabees when he contracted malaria.
Born in Korea, Carrell was adopted by his late father, Dean Carrell, when he was 1. Family and friends described him as fun-loving, loyal and patriotic.
He became a U.S. citizen when he was 16. He graduated from Port Angeles High School in 2005 and enlisted in the Navy in 2006.
“When the call of this nation was heard, Joshua Dae Ho Carrell answered,” Minor said.
“Self was forgotten in the cause of a greater good.”
Banner programs
Lynette George of Kitsap County started the nonprofit Blue Star and Gold Star banner programs four years ago in Kitsap County.
She helped organize Friday’s Gold Star ceremony for Carrell — the first of its kind in Port Angeles.
“Originally it was just for Kitsap County,” she said, “but I kept getting phone calls from all these other counties saying, ‘We want this program.'”
The Port Angeles City Council approved the banner programs in March.
Blue stars honor area residents who are currently serving in the military. Gold stars are for service men and women who die in the line of duty.
Carrell had Falciparum malaria, the most dangerous form of the disease. His was the first-malaria-related death that the U.S. military has suffered in more than two years.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
