A Hometown Hero banner of Christopher Tur.
It has been a rough six years for the Tur Family, since they were informed that their beloved brother and son had died under suspicious circumstances at Naval Base Guantanamo Bay.
Since Christopher’s death in 2015, the family has relentlessly sought to uncover what happened on that fateful evening. They’ve filed petitions and motions, they’ve battled elected officials and investigators from the United States Navy, and they’ve watched as scandalous details became public following a federal indictment of former Gitmo Base Commander Captain John Nettleton in 2019.
Unsatisfied with Nettleton’s prison sentence following a guilty verdict in 2020, and with a wrongful death suit pending against Nettleton and the Navy, one would be justified in assuming that members of the Tur Family had become angry and bitter due to the delays, bureaucracy and lack of resolution.
However, nothing may be further from the truth.
In fact, the Tur Family is looking to turn the ordeal into a positive that echoes for years throughout the North Penn community, via the establishment of the Christopher Tur Memorial Fund.
“Christopher loved being a Marine and giving back to all branches of the military,” said Aline Tur, Christopher’s sister. “We wanted to carry on his mission and help active military families, veterans and veterans’ families in his name.”
Aline said the memorial fund falls under the non-profit umbrella of the Griffin Gives Foundation, and will soon begin fundraising to carry out a variety of charitable initiatives across the area. In addition to Aline, Christopher’s mother, Ann Marie, and his brothers, Michael and Hank, will be involved in the memorial fund.
“This foundation was founded on an abundance of love and admiration that we have for Christopher,” Aline said. “He loved giving back to the military, and my family and I are here to continue his amazing mission.”
Aline said the family met with the Griffin Gives co-founder Tracey Detweiler Linen, who help bring their vision to light. Additionally, Aline said she hopes their efforts to aid the community will, in essence, help the family to heal, as well.
“I am forever grateful to [Tracey] for her help with this,” said Aline. “The Christopher Tur Foundation is a way to give back to our community veterans and active military personnel in his name, and help mend our forever-broken hearts over losing Christopher in such a horribly shocking and tragic way.”
As the memorial fund gears up for operations, the family said they have several initiatives already in mind. Those include providing assistance for veterans with PTSD, helping to pay for service dogs, raising funds for suicide awareness and providing scholarships to North Penn graduates who are heading into the military following their senior years.
The Tur Family, longtime Hatfield Township residents and deeply rooted in the greater North Penn community, said they will rely on community members, organizations and businesses for donations to accomplish their goal. And those fundraising efforts are expected to start, with a cornhole tournament on the horizon.
In the interim, the family is trying to focus their fond memories of Christopher, while finding joy in keeping his legacy alive.
“Christopher used to get up on Christmas and Thanksgiving mornings and serve troops stationed at GTMO breakfast before he spent time with his family. This is the kind of man he was,” said Aline. “He tried to make those men and women who were so far away from home feel like they had a little bit of ‘home’ that morning. He believed in giving back to the folks that serve, and we continue his mission.”
See also:
Hatfield Family Files Wrongful Death Suit Against Former Gitmo Commander, Ex-Wife And Others
Hatfield Township Family To Pursue Civil Action Against Former Guantanamo Bay Base Commander
Former Navy Capt. Gets 2 Years In Prison For Obstructing Investigation Into Death Of Local Marine
Petition Launched Seeking Further Penalty For Navy Captain Involved In Death Of Local Marine
Jury Finds Navy Captain Guilty Of Lying About Death Of Local Marine At Guantanamo Bay
Family Seeks Justice In Death Of Local Marine At Guantanamo Bay
