Cpl. David Stidman: His Death Was Avoidable
Losing a child has got to be one of the very worst tragedies that a family can face and that’s exactly what Dwayne Stidman is facing right now. His son, 23 year old Cpl David Stidman, was killed last week by a drunk driver. Cpl Stidman had survived two tours in Iraq and one tour in Afghanistan before losing his life to an irresponsible 33 yr old that had apparently decided that it was acceptable behavior to get behind the wheel of his pickup truck while under the influence. Cpl Stidman had returned home to Rosenberg just four months ago. Ironically, his father had been in a motorcycle crash just three months before where another drunk driver had left him with severe injuries. His son was home to help him recover.
Dwayne Stidman is undoubtedly facing one of the toughest days of his life today as his beloved son is laid to rest. On Tuesday, he purchased the Harley his son had always wanted and plans to have another marine ride it in the funeral procession today. Dwayne will be riding his own Honda Gold Wing where the urn will be carried inside of a velvet-lined trunk. He commented that “we have a place of honor for him to ride, so we’ll go for one last motorcycle ride together.”
Following the eulogies, Dwayne plans to take the urn with him on a last fishing trip, something that he and his son enjoyed together many times over the years. It is there that Dwayne plans to say his last goodbyes to his son.
Much to his credit Dwayne, who is also a former marine, plans to embrace a new mission to help change state law to provide stiffer sentences to drunk drivers. The man that hit his son was released from jail the afternoon of the day of the accident.
Dwayne has asked that everyone wear red today in honor of his son. He thinks it would be a fitting way to say goodbye by honoring him with a sea of red.
We want to express our heartfelt condolences to young David’s family and friends. You will be putting to rest a local hero today and our thoughts and prayers go out to you.
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