Stephen Bond Memorial

Coast Guard Missing Man The Ocean Spring's officer is still missing. Tomorrow family and friends will remember him.

by Diana Lucio

Published: Fri, June 19, 2009 - 9:15 pm CST Last Updated: Mon, June 22, 2009 - 8:45 pm CST

A heartbroken mother is still hoping her son will be found alive.
"If I could get in this water and swim every every inch of the Gulf of Mexico to find my child I would, "said Susan Vallette as she clutched pictures of her son Stephen Bond.

Bond, an Ocean Springs police officer and four of his friends were out at sea when their boat capsized back on May 17th. Nearly everyone was rescued about nine miles Southwest of Ship Island, except Stephen. He was last seen clinging to the bow of the boat.
"If he's out there he doesn't deserve to be left under the water or caught in debris he deserves to come home and be treated with dignity and respect,"Said Vallette.

After the Coast Guard called off their search, Bond's family hired a private party. They still have a person in Virginia monitoring the water currents everyday.
While memories help her get through the days, Vallette won't let her son go until he is found.
"I need him for that closure, I need him to come home...if he can't come home alive I need to be able to bury my child,"Said Vallette.
A memorial service for Stephen Bond will be held tomorrow.
The service begins at 2 pm at First Baptist Church in Ocean Springs. Bond will be given both police and military honors.

Donations are being accepted at Hancock Bank under the "Stephen Bond Recovery Benefit Fund".

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rmseek1234 Says:

Mon, Jun 29, 2009 at 5:49 pm

?Mike? Has anything else transpired with this recovery? Keeping the family in my prayers daily…

ickthus Says:

Mon, Jun 29, 2009 at 12:21 am

Mike, may you and your family find peace.

mpdcro Says:

Fri, Jun 19, 2009 at 11:43 pm

My thoughts and prayers are with you all. I pray that your son will be found, so you can have some closure. May God be with you through these difficult times.

rmseek1234 Says:

Fri, Jun 19, 2009 at 10:06 pm

My heartfelt prayers to you all. I hope that you will have that closure, and peace. God Bless.