Another update  / Shelby Caldwell (Daughter)
Hey daddy,
         In only a little more than a month it will have been two years without you.  Despite what people say it DOESNT get easier with time, people grow stronger with time. I miss you so much and i know everyone else does too.Here is what has been going on lately:
         I have been doing pretty well. I really got into vollyball, and im getting good. School just ended, and i am enjoying summer.I got a c on my french exam, and i am so happy about that. Im going to the academy next year and im so excited, but im also really nervous.
         Jessies grades have gone up, and she seems really happy. Her and her boyfriend just broke up, but they are still good friends. I know that she cant wait to graduate next year.
         Kaylee is also doing well. She has gotten good at violin, and is going to a camp for it this summer.Its good that she has something that she is really into.
         Hannah has taken up softball, and has also gotten good. i practice with har sometimes, and ive got to say, shes much better than me.She pitched her first game today, and struck two girls out.
         I know you would be so proud of us. Watch over all of us, and help us through everything.


<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3Shelby Close

Thinking of you on Mother’s Day  / Ashley's Mom (Sue)

I will be thinking of you on Mother’s Day. God Bless, Sue

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Genealogy / Terrie Caldwell (unknown)
Hello, Sorry for your loss,,,I was doing some searching on my genealogy and ran across this site..Don't know if we are related at all but wanted to send my condolences to you it realy is great that you posted and have this site...It is beautiful, with all the pictures and slideshows...I was looking for a chris caldwell in Florida ,,but i dont think i have the right one...but if you want to contact me you may....Terrie Caldwell Close

someone i have never met  / Dakota Holloman

I know I’m not apart of the family but someone that’s very important to me has told me so much about you that its had such an impact on me that I would like to say some things. I have been coming to this site at least once a day ever since I lit a candle, and you were a really great person.  You have such a beautiful family I love them all they are great.  You had such an impact on so many people.  Your daughters love you so much, Jess talks about you a lot she really misses you so much.  Help her to stay strong threw anything she may have trouble in. I just recently went on the same cruise that you went on, I couldn’t help but think about somebody I have never met before it made me sad I felt sorry for your family the pain they went threw. I tried to go to the captain to see if I could get his condolences for your family but I kept getting negative feedback like “it would be a liability” it killed me to hear that.  I’m so sorry that I couldn’t accomplish that. Your family has gone threw so much they are good people.  I am so blessed that I have Jess in my life she is such a wonderful person my life has been a lot better since she’s been in it.  I promise to never let her down and I will always treat her right. THANK YOU

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Remembering youre company...  / John JJ Campos (Friend)
To a friend and co worker I ve known for years at Astro ,you will never be forgotten.Roommates for a short while and every once in a while we would run into each other at different places. You are in gods hands now !!  John "JJ" Campos

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you were always loved  / Mom
Dear Chris, I know that your life was never easy for you and for that I am so sorry. I know where you are now is a place of love and peace. Still I wish more than anything that you were back here with us. Your girls miss you so much and are growing up so fast. I know that you are watching over them and take pride in all they do.
One day we will be together again, I don't know when but I know it will happen for us all when our time comes around. Take care, I love you so very much. mom Close

Update for you  / Jessie Caldwell (Daughter)
Daddy, its hard to believe that in a few months, we will have been without you for two whole years. its never gotten any easier or hurt any less. for any of us. all we can do is lean on each other and try to get through this. i read about the girl lyndsy from ireland and i just want to say i am so sorry to her family. the cruise line just doesnt seem to care at all. about any of our families. this is for you daddy, to keep you updated. shelby just got into this medical science program. she seems really excited. please help her though, shes having a tough time. kaylee is keeping up with the violin, shes actually getting pretty good. hannah will be starting up softball in a few weeks. she made me practice with her earlier. im doing alot better in school. i love my tv class at votech. ive found the most amazing guy. he is SO MUCH like you its just unbelievable. he does the insane voices and all that random stuff. he just reminds me of you and tries to help me through this. im very thankful for that. elie is getting big. the last time i saw her was christmas and shes beautiful. the rest of the family misses you unbelievably and we alwasy will. i still have those dreams every once in a while where you just show up home one day completely fine, like its just some mistake.wishful thinking. try and help us as much as you can. not just our family, but all the families dealing with the same we are. i love you daddy Close

Mr. / Paul O'Brien
Dear Mrs. Caldwell

I really hope you will read this email as soon as possible - we are desperate.  We have lost our daughter on Costa Magica Cruise Line (owned by Carnival Cruise Lines).  Her name was Lynsey O'Brien.  She was just 15 years of age.  Unfortunately, she left our sight for 90 minutes and was served alcohol - illegally onboard the ship.  When we discovered this, Lynsey was extremely intoxicated.  We gave her water to try and sober her up but hadn't realised just how much alcohol she had been given by the bar-tender on board!  We put her to bed and within 60 seconds she fell overboard and lost her life!

Since then, nobody has helped us.  We now find ourselves in the exact same situation as you do now.  We truely sympathise with you and totally understand what you are going through right now!!

We are now on the same campaign for justice that you are and we need your help and guideance.

We live in Ireland and have no direct access to the American legal system.

Can you contact us ASAP.  We would dearly love to converse with you as we, unfortunately find ourselves in your shoes right now!!

Lynsey's story can be found on the Irish Times website - today's date.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

with warmest thoughts and regards


Yours

Paul and Sandra O'Brien

Our contact number in Ireland    011 353 86 2652297  Close

missing you  / Mom
Hi Chris, We are home tonite and I wanted to write to you and remind you how very much you are loved and missed. I try to keep new pictures of Elie, Jesse, Shelby, Kaylee and Hannah on your site. I know you see them everyday because you are their angel.
As each day goes by I just can't believe that I won't see you until my time comes to leave. I know on earth it maybe a long time but from what I have read about life after it will be worth the wait.
I love you so very much.
Love mom Close

getting justice in 2006  / Mom (mom)
Dear Chris, As we start the new year, we are focused on making sure what happened to you never happens to anyone or their family again. So many people are working to make Carnival and all the other cruise lines accountable for all the crimes that happen on the ships. They do their very best to cover everything over but that HAS to STOP!!!!! We love you so very much and miss u more than you can imagine. I know you are watching over everyone but we sure do wish you were with us instead. We love you, mom Close

merry christmas  / Leslie Wray (friend)

JESSE,SHELBY AND KAYLEE THIS IS LESLIE FROM GEORGIA I HOPE YOU REMEMBER ME.I HOPE YOU ALL HAD A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS. I KNOW YOUR DAD WAS AND IS WATCHING OVER YOU. I KNOW THIS IS VERY HARD FOR YOU GUYS AND I JUST TO LET YOU  KNOW HOW MUCH YOU FATHER MEANT TO ME. HE WAS AND ALWAYS WILL BE ONE OF MY BEST FRIENDS. I SURE HAVE A LOT OF STORIES I CAN SHARE WITH YOU,SOME OF THEM WILL HAVE TO WAIT TILL YOUR OLDER HA HA.IF YOU EVER WANT TO CONTACT ME YOUR GRANDMOTHER HAS MY NUMBER.GOD BLESS YOU. CHRIS I  LOVE AND MISS YOU.

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Getting Justice for you and the others  / Mom
Dear Chris, Today is Christmas and we are thinking about you and missing you so much! We talked to the girls this morning and they are happy but miss you also. Last week Shannon did an interview on the Rita Cosby show and told your story. There are 2 congressmen leading a movement to have the cruise industry related so they will have to answer for the crimes committed on the ships. We all deserve to have answers and no other family should have to suffer the loss of a family member. Sometime in the near future there will be another hearing where the family member will be able to stand and give their statements on how terrible it has been and how it needs to change. We are fighting this fight for you and all the other families. I am going to do everything I can to be at this hearing. Shannon has done all the interviews so far and has done such a wonderful job letting people know who you were and how much you are missed by us all. I know you knew in your heart how much you were loved and are still. Elie is growing up so fast and is so beautiful! Shannon, Adam and Elie are going to visit the girls tomorrow for a few days so I will get to see the pictures of them. They seem to change so much with every picture. We love you, Mom Close

another Christmas without you  / Mom
Dear Chris, As I sit here on the 23rd of Dec. it marks 17 months since you left us and the 2nd Christmas without you. I know we didn't spend the holidays together but we always called each other and sent our love. You are so very missed today and everyday. Please try and let your girls know how very much you miss them and that you are ok. They miss you terribly and the holidays are especially hard for them and us all. We know that you would want us to carry on as we have but that will never stop our love and the loss of your presence. We have recently finally gotten the coverage of your loss that should have been there in the beginning. I know we will never have true answers but we want to keep this from happening to another family. I know you have met all of the other CRUISE ANGELS that have arrived in Heaven. We are fighting for you all! Your lives will not go unnoticed for that you can be sure!!! With every candle that is lit, know that much love is being sent your way. Every day I look at your picture above my head in the truck and say I love you and miss you so much. Your cell number remains on my phone as I can't bear to remove it. The cruise lines are trying to say they really don't care what happened to all of you but know your families do care and we will keep this issue in the public eye as long as we have too to make the cruise lines make sure people are safe!! People pay a lot of money for these cruises and should feel safe!! No matter what the coast to the cruise lines!!! I will remain Carnival's worst advertisement until great changes are made to the ships! Merry Christmas Chris, we love you. mom Close

Cruise Ships - Please Read & Respond  / Crystal Tinder (ex-fiancee)

Below is an email that I sent to everyone I know.  For everyone who visits this site, please read it and send it to everyone you know as well.  Together, maybe we can make a difference!!                                                                                                  

12/20/05

 

Hello Family & Friends,

 

I am writing to you today for help.  I know you all are aware of the tragic incident that happened last year.  Since Chris' death on the cruise, there have been about 12 other overboard incidents.  This is suddenly getting a lot of media attention including Congressional hearings.  There will be a piece on it tonight on MSNBC between 9 -10 and an article in an upcoming People magazine.  I have yet to decide if I will interview with either of them. 

 

Here's where your help is needed.  Cruise ships aren't required by law to have surveillance cameras monitoring the railings.  The cruise spokesman, Michael Crye, says it's because ships flying the stars and stripes must be built in America and staffed entirely by Americans. Crye says the cruise industry is not responsible for keeping track of the number of passengers lost at sea.  However, they do have cameras monitoring areas where money is involved.  That should tell you right there that they are more interested in the dollar signs and not their passengers!  Michael Crye, International Council of Cruise Lines is quoted saying, "I can tell you that it would require an investment of literally millions of dollars to have those types of security cameras installed and monitored. And is it a significant enough problem to justify that kind of expense?  I think you need to keep this in perspective. Ten to 12 people out of maybe 15 million who cruised in that same time frame is something less than 1 person goes missing for every million people.  The number of people disappearing is not significant enough to warrant changes in security."  The number is not significant enough!!!!  Imagine if that person were someone you knew and loved.  If he would put himself in that situation, he would see that it's important enough to him!  The cruise industry is a $25 billion business!!  And they don't want to spend a few million to protect their passengers who make it possible for them to make that $25 billion! 

 

Attorney, James Walker states "They don't warn the public. They don't want the public to know that they are at risk in going on a cruise because, of course, they are in the business of selling dream vacations."  Well, that's going to end.  I don't want this to happen to anyone else I know or to any other family.  I think that these cruise lines need to take responsibility and they need to be aware that people will not be cruising until cameras are installed on the decks.  True, having cameras may not have stopped Chris or anyone else from going overboard.  However, they would have caught it sooner and may have been able to find them alive or at least a body.  I am asking out of love and concern for all of you, that you please do not take a cruise unless the proper security measures are taken.  I am starting this petition that will state just that.  That we will not be taking any cruise until they install security cameras on the decks of all cruise ships.  If you agree with this and promise not to cruise, I ask that you please fill in your name and then forward this to EVERYONE you know!!!!  Once you add your name, please forward this back to me as well (crystal_atlanticcoast@yahoo.com) so that I can keep track of how many names we have.  I believe that if we all take a stand, these cruise ship industries won't have a choice but to protect their passengers.  Because if they don't, they won't have any passengers!!!!!  I do hope that you will join me on this.  Again, put yourself in these victims and victims families shoes.  Now sign:

 

1. Crystal Tinder Close

missing you this holiday season  / Mom
Hey Chris,
Today has been a very hard one all the way around but then I know that you already knew that. We came home this day at 4am and found our home had been robbed. They all the jewerly I had gotten for the grandkids. I wanted so much to leave each one of them a piece of jewerly but it's all gone now. My sense of safety has been shattered and I jump at the slightest noise. I know you can't stop everything bad that happens here but please make the lives of the people who did this to us a living nightmare!!  We miss you so much. There isn't a day that goes by we don't miss you. I hope you are happy in heaven but I would rather have you here. Watch over us and send your girls a hug that they can feel in their soul.
Love mom Close

It's been a while...  / Cheryl Fortuner (mother of his daughters )

I visit this sight often...I've always come on intending on writing something......and then I just can't.  Like I find myself now.....teary and missing you in our daughters lives.....in our lives.........the holidays are upon us and we miss you so........It will never be the same...I can't write any more about that right now.....I know you understand....I was on a plane the other day and picked up a magazine in the airport before I boarded.  It was ............thinking of the name................had to go and look......Radar.  I've never seen it before.  Shannon told me about an article that was about missing passengers from cruise lines the day before, so I looked for it in the airport giftshop while I was waiting for my flight.  As I read it on the plane I kept looking at the picture of you.....It's still unreal to me that you are gone...............God if you only knew.  It's taken me , I'd guess, an hour just to get this far.......and now, that I've returned from getting a tissue, (just for allergies of course) I hear the radio in the distance from Jessie and Shelby's room......they are listening to an oldies station.  Not like what we listened to as oldies when we were kids.............our generation of oldies...the verse that I just heard was "and I'd really like to see you tonight".....take those words out of the song and that's how we feel.  Now I feel like I'm rambling but I'm going to stop backspacing (because I've blown my nose finally)............Now, unfortunately, more time has passed because I've been caught up in the music spilling from their room.....I'm in other thoughts..........Remembering you when you came by our house the night before you left for the cruise.  You were so happy and excited to get away.  Even though you and I hadn't had a chance to fully recover from our last disagreement..........we were cool.  Thank you for being that kind of person. That's what was always so great about us Chris.  As I said at your memorial............we were friends.....and then we got married.........we divorced and we became even better friends...............the girls knew it.......everyone knew it.....I'll always love you my friend and I'll miss you in our lives forever........

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Life / Kaylee Caldwell

I know that somethings last forever and somethings don't.              That's why I think you should make the best of it 

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I MISS YOU  / BRYAN SITTIG (BROTHER)
I have put off coming here for a long time. Too much emotion. I have buried myself in a bottle for a long time now. As a result I have pushed away everyone that loves me. Though I know that they still love me, they can't watch me selfdestruct. Chris, you and I had a conversation about this when my wife left.And you told me not to go down the same path that you did. But, of course, I did. I wish that I could go back and change things. We were never really close. I can remember when you went to live with grandma Caldwell, and when you called, all I would do is cry for you to come home.You were at some camp and you were learning sign language. I never thought I would miss you more than that moment.....untill now.I remember when you pulled a nail out of my ankel. I remember the snake in texas. I remember the car ride we went on in newnan. I remember when you would shoot us with the BB gun. I remember all the fights. I miss my brother!!
I miss my family! Mom Dad Shannon Stephany Chris.....I love you!
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Your Beautiful Girls  / Mom
Dear Chris,
As I sit here here this am, I know in my heart that you are watching over us from a most wonderful place. I know you were not a big believer but when God forgave you at the end and brought you home, You must have been surprised at the Glory and Beauty all around you. I know too that you have saved us from so many bad things this past year and half. God has allowed you to be our guardian angel and we thank him for that. Your girls are having such a tough time without you. Even though you guys fought sometimes, they loved you so much as I know you loved them more than anything in the world! Please give them a sign that you are ok and always watching over them. Jesse will be graduating soon and she needs to feel your presence around her. Shelby with such a sweet soul misses you so much she can hardly bare it at times. Be with her as she grows and guide her with your love. Kaylee, my little stinkbug, misses you and will go through many times where she will need your guidance. Please stay by her side and let her know when somethings isn't right. Little Hannah misses you too. She loved you more than you can imagine. She asked us to bring Daddy Chris back home.
Chris, We will always miss you. No one can ever take your place but I have finally come to realize that God needed you to help watch over all your loved ones as he is very busy with the rest of the world.
I know you know exactly what happened that night and will be there to see the person judged by God and get their punishment. NO ONE will EVER make me believe anything else!!!
ALWAYS know you are in our thoughts and hearts everyday, every moment because I know your spirit lives in our hearts.
Love, Mom Close