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Anonymous planted 5 trees in memory of Dale Pocklington
Saturday, February 25, 2023
5 trees were planted in memory of
Dale William Pocklington
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Jeff Razey posted a condolence
Saturday, July 1, 2023
I served with Dale in VP4 in the 1977 Deployment to Cubi Point. I was Crew 5 Radio Op / IFT. After returning from deployment I recall Dale talking about trying to go to the SEALs and was in training, running on the beach with his flight boots after work, and I often wondered if he had made it. Glad to see he did. I was discharged in Oct 1979 and followed my own path. It was a different world back then but I am glad to learn that Dale found his path and met his goal,, and some. It was a life well lived from what I have read on this site. Many thanks to Larry Hames for sharing this website on VP4.
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Mary Hall & Dale DuFay planted a tree in memory of Dale Pocklington
Thursday, March 9, 2023
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You were such an inspiration to us We are all connected Join in honoring their life - plant a memorial tree
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Mary Hall lit a candle
Thursday, March 9, 2023
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Mary Hall posted a condolence
Thursday, March 9, 2023
Even though I had never met Dale and Leondra in person. They came into our lives at just the perfect time of need. In 2017 I had an NDE that showed me how we are all connected as one, and Dale and Leondra showed us just how really true that is, even though we had never met, they were meant to come into our lives and show us what really true blessings are. Dale was truly a light and will always be in my thoughts. We are truly all one, and connected..
Mary Hall
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Kathy Kirk posted a condolence
Thursday, March 9, 2023
He was a very loving brother in the way that he would share things with you or order you things and surprise you. He was the type of brother that would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it!
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The family of Dale William Pocklington uploaded a photo
Tuesday, March 7, 2023
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robert spreter posted a condolence
Tuesday, February 28, 2023
While in VP-4, Pock and I used to run and swim at NAS Barbers Point in preparation for his BUDS class – drank a lot of beer after PT. We used to go dinner with our wives in Hawaii. He transferred and I met up with him when he finished BUDS and became a Navy Seal. We used to go out and party and had great times. He transferred and was selected to be an NFO and assigned back to VP-4. I never met anyone who accomplished so much in the Navy. After he retired, we used to Shoot the Breeze on the phone which I really enjoyed and he helped me when my wife passed when I really needed it. He will be missed by all.
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Keith Evans posted a condolence
Monday, February 27, 2023
Dale and I worked together at Customs and Border Protection and DHS HQ for many years. First as contractors sharing a cube, and later as Director and Deputy Director for IT Infrastructure Services. It’s obvious he was a man of great accomplishment and a goal oriented individual, but what struck me most was his compassion for the members of our team and his humanity for everyone. He cared very deeply for others in need and was always there to help in any way he could. We kept in touch over the years and I always enjoyed our conversations and his advice. He spoke often of his wife Leondra and he obviously had a deep love and respect for her. And he was very proud of his Son and Grandson. He had just sent me an email expressing his desire to join me back at CBP for his final 2 years of government service. I’ll miss his wise counsel, but most of all I’ll miss the great man that he was.
One of Dale’s favorite quotes from Theodore Roosevelt:
"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."
I miss you my friend.
Keith Evans
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WEBSTER HAYDEN posted a condolence
Monday, February 27, 2023
MANY GREAT MEMORIES SERVING WITH DALE IN VP-4.
SMOOTH SAILING BUDDY!!! YOUR FRIEND WEBSTER HAYDEN
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Jerry Coyle posted a condolence
Sunday, February 26, 2023
Dale was the in-flight technician (IFT) on my crew in 1977-1979 with Patrol Squadron Four (VP-4), NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii. I was navigator and later tactical coordinator. We made a deployment to NAS Cubi Point and WESTPAC together in 1977, and a detachment to NAS Agana, Guam in 1978. He was a good man. He could fix nearly anything in flight. In 1989, after I left the Navy, my family and I made a vacation trip to Hawaii, and I made a sentimental journey to the old squadron. Dale then was a Naval Flight Officer in VP-4, a LTJG, as I recall. He showed me the cruise book from our 1977 PI deployment, and I told him I had never gotten one. He was gracious enough to give me his. May God bless and keep you, Shipmate. Fair winds and following seas.
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robert spreter posted a condolence
Sunday, February 26, 2023
While in VP-4, Pock and I used to run and swim at Barbers Point in preparation for his BUDS class – drank a lot of beer to hydrate. We used to go dinner with our wives in Hawaii. He transferred and I met up with him when he finished BUDS and became a Navy Seal. We used to go out and party and had great times. He transferred and was selected to be an NFO. I never met anyone who accomplished so much in the Navy. After he retired, we use to shoot the shit on the phone which I really enjoyed and he helped me when my wife passed. He will be missed by all.
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Larry Hames posted a condolence
Sunday, February 26, 2023
I am sorry for your loss. I flew with Dale in VP-4. He was a great guy.
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Sam Reyes posted a condolence
Saturday, February 25, 2023
Dale was a truly exceptional individual. I first met Dale when he was a young AX (a rarity) reporting for duty at VP31 (Patrol Squadron 31) to attend Inflight Technician Training. I recall we complained bitterly because the Coffee Mess had not yet brewed the Sailor’s lifeblood. Once we got our coffee we sat in the Mess and chatted. We found that we were to be classmates, I offered some “advise” of a nontechnical nature to ease the “hurry up and wait” encountered during the “checking in” process. During the rigorous technical training he proved to be a quick study and breezed through the course. About halfway through the course I advised him to call our “Detailer” and make his request for an assignment known instead of waiting until after completion of training. When we got our orders, we had both been assigned to VP4 in Barbers Point, Hawaii. After even more training he quickly got his Enlisted Aircrew Wings. Now he was a Naval Aircrewman one of the select few. Dale did not half step, once he set his goal - it was achieved. Again, over a cup of coffee, he confided that he wanted to try out for the SEALs. I told him – well let’s say I offered some more advice but added that if that was what he truly wanted to go ahead and screen. He knew the rigors he would be facing and asked me to train with him. He understood the “team” concept long before he was “introduced” to it in earnest. I transferred out of the Squadron and we lost touch for a while.
He was accepted to BUD/S and the next time we got together he proudly proclaimed he was a Wog after a short visit we once again went different ways. He completed training and earned his Trident. Another goal set and achieved he was now a SEAL – One of the Truly Select Few.
When next we met, he had earned a Commission in the US Navy and was now an Officer undergoing Naval Flight Officer training. He completed the training and earned his NFO wings. Again, goals set and achieved. A double check here Commissioned and designated an NFO - no mean feat. He went on to his next Duty Assignment with VP4. While there he was designated a “Mission Commander” amassed a considerable amount of “combat flight time,” --- suffice it to say his accomplishments were numerous. Yet for Dale it was to be expected.
To say Dale was goal oriented is an understatement he earned two Master’s Degrees and multiple Professional Designations. He joined Government Service and advanced to GS 15 - another notable accomplishment. Add to that he also earned his Private Pilot License. Yes, all this was accomplished by one man.
If there were one trait that would personify Dale, it would be that regardless position or job he cared and took care of his people. Here I have to offer my personal experience: I had been before the Chief’s Selection Board for many years but hadn’t been selected. I had just about lost hope when Dale showed up. He said he was on his way to D.C. and had some contacts so he would check on the matter. On his way back we once again got together and over a beer he smiled and said “Buy your khakis.” When the Board results were posted my name was at the top of the AX selection list. I am positive it was in a large part due to Dale. Typical of Dale, years later we had a conversation and he told me he had done nothing it was I who had done it. Dale, THANK YOU!
I started off by stating that Dale was a truly exceptional individual. In the brief, very brief, synopsis of Dales accomplishments it is apparent that that is not an overstatement. It is said that the odds of meeting a Navy SEAL are one in three million. The odds of having the opportunity to meet a person like Dale must be astronomical – it would take a super computer time to figure those odds.
Crossing the Bar
Sunset and evening star,
And one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning of the bar,
When I put out to sea,
But such a tide as moving seems asleep,
Too full for sound and foam,
When that which drew from out the boundless deep
Turns again home.
Twilight and evening bell,
And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell,
When I embark;
For tho’ from out our bourne of Time and Place
The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
When I have crost the bar.
By Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Farewell Shipmate you are more than a friend, you are a brother. May our Creator keep you at his side, and true to your nature - put in a good word for me.
Leondra and Family,
Dale wanted to spare us pain as evident by his request. Yet regardless of his wishes it is inevitable that his loss is felt. Know that we grieve with you.
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Thomas Nicklay posted a condolence
Saturday, February 25, 2023
Dale,
It was an honor to serve with you.
Thom
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Jeff Schneider posted a condolence
Saturday, February 25, 2023
We are so sorry for your loss and offer our sincerest condolences. Wishing you peace, comfort, and courage during this difficult time.
- Jeff Schneider & Family
A Memorial Tree was planted for Dale Pocklington
Friday, February 24, 2023
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We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ the staff at Adams Green Funeral Home Join in honoring their life - plant a memorial tree
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Adams-Green Funeral Home & Crematory
721 Elden Street | Herndon, VA 20170
P: (703) 437-1764 or (703) 471-4090 | E: bill@adamsgreen.com
