Lieutenant Commander Wischmeier's story is similar to the other two crash victims, David Skimin and Joshua Nichols. Raised in Florida, Andrew Wischmeier too is a life long waterman who loved to fish, sail, swim, dive and even kite board.

"We will certainly, certainly miss him. He was a bright spot in our lives. He loved helping people. He always had a smile on his face, and he loved the Coast Guard. He loved what he was doing, flying, and helping rescue people," Shirley Wishchmeier said.

Bob and Shirley Wischmeier say President Bush presented their son with a distinguished service medal for a rescue he made near Alaska a few years ago.

"Even though the winds were 60 to 70 knots and hour and they can't send people out, he volunteered to do this and rescued some individuals with a hoist and so forth and with the boats rocking completely," Bob Wischmeier said.

Wischmeier's wife lives in Kaneohe. His 18-year-old son Christopher graduated from high school this summer.

We were all together in June right after his graduation. that was the last time we all got together, and we had just a wonderful time. So we have that memory. and just talked to him two or three nights before the accident, so we're going to dwell on those happy times," Shirley said. "He'll be greatly missed and we loved him dearly," she added.

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