Mother of Three Widowed One Week Before Christmas

Daniel Speer – Navy veteran, son, brother, husband, and father to three beautiful children – was tragically killed in a single vehicle crash on his way home after laying wreaths at Military Veterans’ gravesites in the rain at a Wreaths Across America event in San Antonio, TX. The weather never deterred Dan from doing what he loved to do – serve his country and his family – and last Saturday was no exception. Dan’s sudden and unexpected death has left his family and his Naval Academy brothers and sisters with tremendous grief. His wife, Jamie, and children Teeghan (15), Cruz (13), and Piper (9) face an uncertain future. They need your help.

 

As the primary wage-earner for his family, Dan’s sudden death will have an immediate and significant financial impact on his family. Jamie is only permitted to receive a small portion of Dan’s Navy retirement, and almost certainly none of his service-connected benefits.

 

Please donate and help spread the news of this tragedy to harness the generosity not only of Dan’s friends, classmates and shipmates who had the privilege of serving on the front lines with Dan, but of any member of this amazing country who is willing and able to fight on the front lines here and now for his family. Help us carry on his legacy by supporting Teeghan in her quest to be the best forensic scientist that the FBI has ever seen, Cruz in his goal of serving our country just like his Dad and then being the best architect this country has ever seen, and Piper in her pursuit of being the world’s greatest animal whispering veterinarian. Your generosity will help give Dan’s children more opportunity to achieve their dreams, and help give Dan’s wife Jamie piece of mind as she faces a new reality as a single mom.

 

Through over 20 years of active duty Naval service, Jamie and the children picked up and moved ten times to eight different states—including an overseas posting. Dan flew P-3 Orion airplanes, transferred to the Intelligence community, learned Serbian and Croatian and served as the military advisor to the U.S. Ambassador in Croatia, and advised the Secretary of Defense on policy at the Pentagon. Like many military spouses, the constant moving kept Jamie from fully pursuing her own education and career opportunities, instead pouring her time, love and energy into her family and raising their children (who likewise switched from school to school). When eligible to do so in June 2019, hoping to reward his family for their many sacrifices with stability, Dan chose to retire from active duty and to move closer to Jamie’s family in Corpus Christi, Texas. FINALLY, Teeghan, Cruz, and Piper had their “always cool” and “always smiling” Dad HOME to help with homework, attend their games and birthday parties, and share their daily ups and downs. Dan’s final act was one of respect and humility and will serve as a lasting reminder to his children.

 

On behalf of Jamie and the Speer Family, thank you and God Bless.

~Friends and Classmates from the U.S. Naval Academy Classes of 1999 and 2000