Helps James Elbert's Family

Aloha Friends and Family of the Elberts:

We are writing to ask for your help in raising funds for James Elbert's Family.

A little bit of background surrounding the event. On Sunday 13 June 2021, 


James was at a picnic with someone he was staying with in the Vallejo, California area.  At the picnic, two dogs ran off and James ran after them. He crossed some train tracks and was struck by an oncoming train while chasing after them. Nobody heard the train due to high winds, according to those present and the police report.  He was in Vallejo to improve himself and become a better father and husband.  He had plans to get back into school and even was looking into inpatient facility to better manage his PTSD. He in no way committed suicide, this was just an accident.  According to his family he was really turning a corner.   James' heart has always been big and he was doing what we have always known him for, taking care of others including runaway dogs.

About James and his family...

James was a veteran of the United States Navy, he served honorably as a Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class and deployed twice in support of Operational Iraqi Freedom. He last unit was 3D Battalion, 3D Marines out of Marine Corps Base Hawai'i in Kaneohe. He was a person who made friends everywhere he goes and left an impression on hearts of everyone he encountered.

He is married to Joann and they have a son that turned eight years old last month.  Joanne is still trying to find out how to break the news to him.  His two sisters Marian and Daphne have been instrumental in setting up the funeral services and burial and his wife is presently working with Veteran Affairs and local authorities in California to transfer his remains back to Hawai'i. His family has scheduled his service to be at the Valley of the Temples with his burial at the Hawai'i State Veteran's Cemetery in Kaneohe directly after on 28 July.

We are humbly asking to please assist them in raising funds to offsetting the costs of the services that the VA will not cover.  Also, all remaining funds will go towards his son Noah.  James has been there for so many of us that it is right for us to be there for him this one last time.

Even if you are unable to donate, a kind word and a picture that you may have of James will go a long way.

Mahalo Nui Loa