WAXHAW, NC – On October 23, 2020, Coast Guard Officer Morgan Garrett from Waxhaw, North Carolina, was identified as one of the two soldiers that were killed in the tragic crash of the T-6B Texan Trainer II. Morgan Garrett and Navy Lt. Rhiannon Ross were both identified as soldiers that died in the crash. The aircraft went down during a training mission. During the crash, the aircraft struck a house and two cars in a residential area. No civilians on the ground during the crash were injured.
The accident comes as one of the first crashes with fatalities that the Navy has had in over a year. It was reported by the Naval Safety Center on Tuesday that the fiscal year of 2020 ended at the end of September. The aircraft that Garret was in on Tuesday was a tandem-style seating arrangement. The turboprop trainer was used by both the Marine and the Navy Corps. They had taken off from the Milton Florida Naval Air Station en route for a training exercise. The aircraft crashed in a residential area near Foley, Alabama.
Morgan Garrett was a part of our local community. As a student at Weddington High School, she was the team captain of both the cross country and track teams. Garrett and team finished 1st in the state in the 4 x 800 in 2015. After high school, she attended the Coast Academy. At the academy, Garrett participated in track and field. She was the middle-distance runner for the team. She also served as the officer for regimental activities.
Garrett was not only known for her athletic career at the academy but also her academic abilities. Her major was Marine and Environmental Science. During her academic career, she was able to make the Cadet’s List each semester. Her talents were outstanding. Morgan was a member of the Class of 2019 and held many outstanding positions during her time at the academy.
Morgan’s passion for life and dedication to everything she put her mind to shined through in every step that she took. She had just turned 24 years old and was ready to take on new adventures each day. The outlook that she had on life, her humor, and the joy that she found in everything made her the incredible woman and soldier that she was. Through her life and outlook she really made an impression on everyone that she has met. The positivity that she carried easily rubbed off on everyone around her.
To say that Morgan cared about all the people around her is an understatement. Anyone she was with or around could always feel the positive impact that she was trying to make on the world. She always looked for the brighter side of situations. Morgan will be missed in so many ways. The impact that her death has made on the academy, the community, and on her family and friends is unimaginable. Her family will miss the light that she brought into the room each time she entered. The words of her mother are as inspiring as the life that Morgan lived. “I hope they remember her smile, her laugh, her silliness, her caring, and loving spirit to help others be their best,” said Mom Jennifer Garrett, “her faith and to know that she absolutely loved growing up here in Union County. She made long-lasting friendships, and I hope all of her friends and the people who loved her will carry a little piece of her in their hearts always! And for those who didn’t know her, I hope you carry a piece of her in your hearts as well!”
The Tri-W Family and the community send their condolences to the friends and family of Morgan Garrett.
There is also a memorial fund established at the Coast Guard Academy in Morgan’s name-
http://www.cgaalumni.org/morgangarrett
