Dave’s Story
One of the significant challenges of volunteering with SAFE is bidding farewell to cherished friends. Dave Clark exemplified this sentiment, his infectious joy leaving an indelible mark on all who knew him. His unique friendship was a privilege we deeply cherished, and we are profoundly grateful to have contributed to the realization of his dreams.
This week, we received a heartfelt email from Dave's brother, a poignant reminder of the impact our volunteer efforts had on Dave's life. Each volunteer who played a role in facilitating Dave's scuba diving journey also provided invaluable support during a challenging period in his life. As companions and volunteers, our significance to those we serve is beyond measure.
During our time in Roatan, we organized a memorial dive in honor of Dave, who was slated to join us on the trip. The experience was profoundly moving, etching itself into our memories as one of our most poignant underwater moments. A beautifully crafted plaque, courtesy of one of our SAFE members, was placed in a reef at by Mayan Divers, now forever known as "Dave's Playground.“
Using a hoist, the memorial plaque was gently lowered to the ocean floor, two dive masters removed their fins and walked it into place. Each member of our diving team took turns visiting the memorial, offering their farewells in a solemn tribute to Dave's memory.
