Every Veterans Day brings a mix of gratitude and reflection, but this year feels different. It is the first one without our brother‑in‑law, Darin. His life reminded us that service can take many forms. He was a Marine, an Army reservist, a husband, a dad, and one of the kindest nerds we ever knew.
We are missing our favorite veteran:
Darin seldom talked about his time in uniform. When he did it, it was often about the technological side, which he developed during his time in the Marines, using the skills he would later apply in private industry. His sense of duty was evident in the way he cared for his family, helped friends, or fixed technical problems before anyone could ask. The same heart that served his country also served the people around him every day.
The Kind of Strength That Doesn’t Always Shout
When Darin was diagnosed with brain cancer, his response was a lesson in quiet strength.
He remained curious, continued working when he could, and held on to the hobbies that brought him the most happiness. He painted WarHammer models, rode his Onewheel, caught up on every new Apple update, and found joy in simple routines with his wife and children. He was so routine-based that he once joked to us that he was the “Norm” of the local Chick-fil-A in Panama City Beach.
Watching him face each day reminded us that courage is not only about big gestures. Sometimes it means showing up for your kids, laughing when things are hard, and refusing to let fear control the moment. Sometimes, it was firmly reminding people that he had brain cancer to make sure that they were aware of what he was going through. That is heroism, too.
Now, as days come and go, we often find ourselves missing our favorite veteran and the quiet lessons he left behind. I’m sure he knew how much his wife and kids would miss him, but I know he left a mark on so many others who sometimes find their thoughts going toward him at random moments during the day. I wonder if he knew the impact he made.
A Nerd at Heart and an Example to All of Us
In our nerdy family, enthusiasm is a shared language. Darin spoke it fluently. He loved talking about Star Wars lore (he joined us in Anaheim for Star Wars Celebration in 2015), new gadgets, and technology that promised to make life just a little better.
He believed that curiosity and kindness could coexist, and he demonstrated this in his treatment of people.
The last few years taught us that a combination of interest and empathy can lift others. Even when life became complicated, he continued to seek new things to learn or share. His joy for the world was contagious.
He did love talking about his passions. While he didn’t share too much about Warhammer, because that is a language only other Warhammer fans understand, we would often talk about the latest technology. We also shared stories of how people would sometimes go out of their way to break technology. True nerd stuff.
He also loved to collect Pokémon with his son. His son dressed up as a Chizard for this past Halloween to honor his memory.
A Role Model
Darin became a dad before I did. Being a father suited him so well.
He was firm and kind. His kids knew what to expect from him. They also knew what would turn him into a softie.
Even though I am quite older than he is, he served as one of my role models in fatherhood.
In 2015, he had a business trip to California, which coincided with our visit to Star Wars Celebration. He joined us there and at Disneyland. He was thrilled about his daughter’s upcoming introduction to the world (she had been born in June, and this was in April). He wanted to get Carrie Fisher to autograph their copy of Vader’s Little Princess. His joy at showing it off to us was palpable.
On a couple of family trips to Disney World, he giggled as he watched his kids giggle with delight at the magic all around.
I never got to tell him how watching him with his kids informed a lot of how I behave with my own.
Christmas in July
One of the most touching memories of Darin’s final months was a special celebration: Christmas in July. Surrounded by family, friends, and neighbors in Panama City Beach, his wife, Cristina’s sister, turned a warm summer day into a magical holiday moment.
When Darin’s health declined and he began hospice care, the community came together to make his wish come true. Friends brought over decorations, set up lights, and filled the house with joy. Snow cones, Santa visits, and laughter made it a day of light during a hard time.
Even then, Darin’s strength and gratitude shone through. He wanted to see as many people as possible and spent the day smiling, thankful for every moment. Despite knowing how difficult things were, the family’s positivity filled the air, a reflection of the way Darin approached everything with courage, humor, and love.
That trip to PCB was the last time we saw him. Only a few days later, on August 3, 2025, Darin passed away peacefully, leaving behind a legacy of kindness and quiet bravery that continues to guide us.
Missing Our Favorite Veteran
Two weeks later, on August 14, his birthday, we gathered again at the beach to celebrate his life—the sun, the waves, and the laughter that carried through the afternoon. We also reminded his soon-to-be forty-year-old wife that he would be forever 39 and that, with his sense of humor, he would appreciate that.
Cristina and I thought of random moments with him that would make us laugh, recalling the many inside jokes.
We shared stories, remembered his jokes, and honored the way he made people feel seen and included. The next day, we attended his memorial and carried forward the lessons he left us: to live with curiosity, love fully, and be thankful for each new day.
What Veterans Day Means to Us Now
Veterans Day will always be about honoring those who serve, but for us, it has also become about everyday examples of bravery. Darin’s courage did not stop when his military chapter closed. It continued in the way he loved his family, supported his friends, and built a life full of purpose and humor.
This year, as we pause to recognize all veterans, we also reflect on how service often continues in small acts of care. Darin showed us that living with gratitude and curiosity can be as meaningful as any medal.
Final Thoughts
Darin showed us that real heroes rarely call themselves that. They live with compassion, curiosity, and steady strength. This Veterans Day, we celebrate all who serve, have served, and continue to make the world better with their character and care.
We miss him deeply, but we remain grateful for the way he lived his life. His story reminds us to keep learning, laughing, and loving fully. That, to us, is what service truly looks like.
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