WESTFIELD — With his father watching, on Dec. 11, over a thousand students, most wearing black, gathered together with teachers, administrators, city and state officials, and military service members in the Westfield High School gymnasium to honor the memory of U.S. Navy Seal Christopher Chambers, a 2005 graduate, who died defending the United States of America during a miliary operation in January 2024.
To honor Chambers, a plaque detailing his life’s achievements was dedicated during the ceremony that his father, Kevin Chambers, attended.
“I could stand here and we could list off all the personal accomplishments and victories that Christopher accumulated overtime…but in doing so, that would not tell you who Christopher really was,” said Tom Lewis, former WHS teacher and coach of the school’s swimming team that Chambers captained while becoming a Western Mass champion, state champion and school record holder in the 50 freestyle.
“Chris Chambers was always full of life and joy. You knew when Christopher was around. His challenge to you, and even to me after practice, and his teammates was, we need to be better in practice today than we were yesterday. That was the essence of who Chris Chambers was,” Lewis said.
Chambers, 37, and fellow Navy SEAL Nathan Gage Ingram, 27, died after falling into the Arabian Sea off the coast of Somalia while conducting a nighttime operation to seize a ship carrying advanced lethal arms from Iran to Houthi forces in Yemen, according to the U.S. Navy.
Chambers left behind his wife Mikala, daughter Kennedy, his mother and father Lois and Kevin Chambers, as well as his sister, Melanie Flynn.
Lewis said Chambers’ “zeal for success” didn’t stop at the pool.
“He was often the most local person cheering on the basketball team or the hockey team,” Lewis said after telling about the first time he met Chambers and his sister Melanie in 2003, after Chambers’ family moved from Bethesda, Maryland to Western Mass. at the start of his junior year.
“In late August 2003. I was in my classroom upstairs preparing for the first day of school when a member of the swim team comes in and introduces me to Christopher and his sister Melanie, who was also joining us that year,” Lewis said.
The first thing Chambers said to Lewis made a lasting impression: “I’m here to help you win a championship.”
“I was struck by his emphasis on team success before his own personal accomplishments,” Lewis said.
He said if Chambers were at the gym on Dec. 11, he would “implore” not only students but everyone to do three things every day.
Number one, and most important: Always do every task in front of you, whether you like that task or you don’t like that task. And always do every task to the best of your ability.
Number two: Always take time every day to laugh and enjoy the people around you.
As an aside, Lewis said Chambers was always around a bunch of people who were laughing and having a good time
Number three: Cheer on everyone. Not just your friends, but for everyone to be more successful in their endeavors.
“If we can do this, not only would you be honoring Christopher Chambers, but you would also truly be making Westfield High a better place.” Lewis said.
Mayor Michael McCabe, who acknowledged he never had the chance to meet Chambers, offered his condolences on behalf of the city.
“To the family and friends that are here today, be at peace. May Chris’s legacy be a comfort to you. I’ve never had the pleasure of knowing the man, but I certainly understand his spirit. He died serving his country. A true team player putting the mission first, exemplifying the true spirit of service before self was the way Chris led his life,” McCabe said.
He asked everyone there, when you place your hand over your heart, remember the Gold Star families and the sacrifices they’ve endured in pursuit of the country’s freedom.
Before finishing, McCabe recited one of the SEAL mottos that Chambers epitomized.
- Get up and go
- Take the risk
- Take the gamble
- Take the first step
- Take action, and don’t let another day slip by.
In closing, McCabe, a WHS graduate, said with love, sympathy, and empathy.
“Once a Bomber, always a Bomber.”
After Chambers graduated, he attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst and joined the swim team.
He then transferred to the University of Maryland, also swimming for its team.
Upon graduation, he began his career at the State Department before enlisting in the Navy, later completing SEAL training and reaching the rank of Navy Special Warfare Operator 1st Class.
While serving, he earned the Army Achievement Medal, Navy and Marine Corp. Achievement Medal W/C, which signifies achievement performed under combat conditions, Navy and Marine Corp. Achievement Medal, including Sailor of the Year, and Combat Action Ribbon.
He also earned a Purple Heart.
