Ave Atque Vale

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I knew his real name, Dave Mustar, here on the blog, we knew him as Dakota Viking.  He's the #1 Nozzleman in the photo above. He's also here in the USS Carl Vinson's cruise book from 1989-1990.

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I hadn't heard from him in a while, I had a quick note from him a while back telling me that he'd been busy but had some more stories to share.

Gonna have to wait a while for that. David died quietly, in his sleep, on the 23rd of February, 2026. A friend of his, JK, left the message of his passing in yesterday's comments.

I'm going to go back and read some of those posts he shared with us, you can too if you click on the Dakota Viking label over on the right.

I think I'm going to take some time away from the blog for a bit. Cuppla days at least, maybe longer. This is going to take some time to process. I think I've got one more post he sent me that I haven't published yet. I need to find that. But for now ...

I am saddened by his passing.

Ave Atque Vale

Through many countries and over many seas

I have come, Sister, to these melancholy rites,

to show this final honour to the dead,

and speak (to what purpose?) to your silent ashes,

since now fate takes you, even you, from me.

Oh, Brother, ripped away from me so cruelly,

now at least take these last offerings, blessed

by the tradition of our parents, gifts to the dead.

Accept, by custom, what a brother’s tears drown,

and, for eternity, Brother, ‘Hail and Farewell’.

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Atque in perpetuum, frater, ave atque vale ...

Rest in peace, my brother in arms. Rest in peace.

And this is the 16th anniversary of my Dad's passing. Not feeling anything right now, just an aching void ...