The story of a Gold Star father

For many, the military isn’t just a career. It’s a family legacy. This is the reality for Veteran and Gold Star Father Wayland Strickland.

He’s the assistant chief of the center for development & civic engagement and acting chief experience officer at New Mexico VA.

As we honor our Veterans this November, Wayland reflects on the life and dreams of his son Lance Corporal Evan Strickland. In the quiet of his home office surrounded by keepsakes of a proud military lineage, Wayland remembers his son as a proud, young Marine who never got a chance to become the hero he was destined to be.

Evan’s aspirations for his time in the military were grand. He dreamed of flying, wanting to serve in a capacity that would let him give directly back to people while getting to see the world. His heart was set on ground support for humanitarian and emergency relief missions, a calling that resonated deeply with his character.

After graduating basic training, he was stationed in Pensacola for basic water survival training. He was pleased when he received an assignment to the Osprey and with it the chance to serve that purpose.

Evan relocated to his permanent duty station at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, California, and was looking forward to getting up in the air. Having been on station less than a month, he was already known for putting in extra effort, earning his first flight that fateful day.

“He was working hard and they took him up earlier than they normally would have. He was tagging along. They were going out for normal training, doing tactical maneuvering and then they were going to do some gun runs for the crew chiefs,” Wayland said.

After receiving word that there may have been an accident, the family clung to the knowledge that Evan had not yet progressed to the point of training in flight.

When the home security system alerted just past 11 that night, they knew they wouldn’t be getting the answer they’d hoped for. Two Marines stood at attention at their door with the tragic news that their son had died in the accident.

“To him, it was we get to fly today.”

The Stricklands’ oldest son is a pharmacy technician living in Arizona. They flew to Arizona the following day to deliver him the news in person before he could see any coverage of his younger brother in the media.

Wayland performed the eulogy at the services held in Albuquerque. Many of Evan’s flight school comrades traveled cross-country to attend. “These are young guys. They had never worn their dress blues before. The first time was for his funeral,” he said.

Evan’s girlfriend, Jess, wrote something but couldn’t bring herself to read it. A break from the somber tone came when Wayland offered to read it for her, unaware that it contained a story about the two that wasn’t conventionally appropriate for sharing in front of parents, let alone at a funeral. He read it anyway, grateful to share any joy his son had the chance to experience while he was here.

Evan’s friend Addison summed it up well: “He just had a way of helping people get through things. It wasn’t that you had to go to work today. To him it was we get to fly today.”

His life and spirit touched many friends and fellow Marines. Those who knew him reach out often to share stories of his kindness, modesty and generosity. “Evan’s friends have made a point of always reaching out. They have an unwritten rule to take care of us. They are our bonus kids,” Wayland added.

Girlfriend now a proud Marine

Evan’s family and the community he built have begun a ripple effect that will continue to write his story. Wayland has committed to raising awareness about the prevention of aviation failures by minimizing known risks.

Jess, the girlfriend Evan left behind, reported the day before his services to enlist. She is now a proud Marine and based only three hangers down from Evan’s squadron.

In remembering Lance Corporal Evan Strickland, and as we honor our Veterans this November, let us show appreciation for those who have sacrificed for our freedom. Let our celebrations honor those calls, the military journeys of all lengths and difficulty, and the souls of all lost in the performance of duty and service to their country.

Pictured above, Wayland Strickland holds a photo and military medals of his son, Lance Corporal Evan Strickland.