Friends,
Join us on Sunday, September 23rd at Riverview Park in Lock Haven, PA from 12-3pm as we take part in Clinton County’s Out of Darkness Walk, hosted by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) – Central PA Chapter.
I am honored to be a guest speaker on behalf of the David M. Collins family.
Please watch the story of David and how his family honors his legacy of kindness.
Learn more about David’s life and service on Kindness for Collins’ facebook page @KindnessforCollins.
About David M. Collins
Born March 3, 1969, David Collins was raised in Pennsylvania where he graduated from Lock Haven High School.
In April of 1988, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and reported to Recruit Training Command. Upon completion of basic training andA school, he reported to the USS Independence (CV 62). In 1991, Dave successfully completed first class dive school and was assigned to SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team TWO at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek.
In 1995, Dave attended Basic Underwater Demolition Training (UDT)/SEAL Training, graduating with UDT Class 203. Upon graduation, he reponed to SEAL Team FOUR where he completed three deployments to South America in support of Special Operations Command South.
ln 2001, Dave transferred to the newly commissioned SEAL Team TEN where, as plank owner, he completed combat deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq. He was then selected to a special program at Naval Special Warfare Group TWO, the predecessor of Support Activity TWO commissioned in 2009. Chief Petty Officer Collins retired from naval service in September 2012, having notably served in Operations Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom, and Enduring Freedom.
Chief Petty Officer Collins personal awards and decorations include a Bronze Star Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Valor, Army Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, eight Navy Good Conduct Medals, and numerous service and campaign awards.
Upon retirement from Naval service, Dave worked for Blackbird Technologies. Friends and family regarded him as a kind soul who befriended all, taking deliberate actions to care for and look after those less fortunate.
Dave was fiercely patriotic, believing in the duty to protect the freedoms we all enjoy. As a deeply spiritual individual, he honored and served his church Star of the Sea.
He was a devoted and loving father and husband, instilling the values of humility, kindness, loyalty, and love. In addition to his wife and children, he had a deep and abiding love for his brothers in the SEAL Teans and forever had a missing piece in his heart for his fallen teammates.
He is survived by his wife, Jennifer M. Collins and children, Grace and Samuel, of Virginia Beach, mother, Rose Ann McNemey and husband Lawrence, sister, Lari Ann, brother, Thomas and wife Barbara and their daughter, Anna, mother and father-in-law, Susanna and John Mullen, two sisters-in-law, Mary and Cecilia, brother-in-law, John and their spouses, nieces and nephews, all of Pennsylvania, and a host of other family and friends.
Power of One 