Michael Loucks: Blog

Thank you all for your notes, whether personal or in your blog. Please know that I appreciate each and every one, even if I am unable to respond.

I will leave you with this beautiful piece of poetry written by my godfather (the Orthodox kind, not the other kind). He appears in A Well-Lived Life as Jesse's godfather Vasily, and is a gifted poet and a wonderful man who has known Jeremiah since he was two.

Eternal memory little child of God, who loved puppies but was afraid of the grown version in the flesh. Who played board games with me and your sister and with her made up the rules as you went along, Who one year gave me a birthday card with a childish drawing and the words "I love you Vasily" inside. Who came to the table once and shook your head yes when mom asked if you'd washed your hands but had to return to the sink when she asked, "With soap?" Who grew and became a man who served his country, and made all of us proud. Who loved the wildness of Creation. Who has now passed beyond us into mystery, and begun your long journey into the impenetrable darkness around the Throne of God.

And yet - I take it as a given that we are all immortal diamond, that an inextinguishable ember remains when we have fallen to ash. It's the only way I can make sense out of the absurdity of life. So you live on in our memories and in our tears, and more importantly, in the timeless memory of the One who has created us. We love you - now, and tomorrow, and forever.

Jeremiah Adams, 1994-2018

Jeremiah was found by hikers who saw his backpack caught in/amongst some trees. He had apparently slipped and fallen into a ravine sometime on Friday, May 4th. Based on the initial reports from the Sheriff's Department, the fall was immediately fatal.

We're grateful for the US Navy sailors from the USS Nimitz, Navy SAR (Whidbey Island), the Sheriff's department, and all the volunteers, all of whom gave their time to search for him

I also want to thank all of you for your prayers, positive thoughts, and condolences. I haven't been able to respond to all of them, but please know I've read each and every one of them.

About an hour ago, my eldest son called to tell us that what we feared most had come to pass. Thank you all for your steadfast prayers and positive thoughts. You've provided strength through this ordeal, and I'll never forget it.

We only have the barest details, and until I have a clearer picture, I'll simply leave it at this...

Jeremiah, we love you. Fair winds and following seas.

Latest update:

Again, the update is there is no real update. The searchers were out all night and all day, using thermal imaging gear both from the ground and from helicopters supplied by Naval Station Widby's SAR. The likely places he might have gone have been covered at least three times, and some four. The less likely places at least once. There are a few places which are difficult to access which will be searched tomorrow.

To add some positives - there is plenty of water in the area, which means he has a source of drinking water. The park has been plastered with his picture and there will be on thousands of civilians in the park tomorrow and Sunday, in addition to smaller search teams. Local media has run his picture continually and his cell phone has a trap on it in case it's turned on.

There were no signs or evidence of any foul play, nor any suspicious activity by any of his friends, fellow sailors, or anyone else the Sheriff's department or the Navy spoke to.

The Navy, Sheriff's Department, and Park Service are meeting in the morning to review all the search maps to see if anything has been missed (beyond the aforementioned difficult to access areas). After that, they'll determine their next course of action. Commander, USS Nimitz, is meeting with his command staff to determine their course of action.

The update is, alas, there is no update. The search continues.

The Navy is sending even more personnel into Olympic National Forest. The commander of the USS Nimitz has mustered every hiking-qualified sailor to add to the search teams, including sending specially trained search and rescue personnel with thermal imaging systems. The Base Commander has offered as many personnel and as much equipment as as necessary.

Your continued prayers, thoughts, and support is greatly appreciated. I received so many messages of support that responding to them is simply not possible. My heartfelt thanks to all of you.

I will keep you updated.