Event Videos
Douglas Michael Sasso Military Service 2024
Write Your Farewell Message
Message from Doug's Family
Message from Doug's Friends
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Doug was my friend. I met him at The Basic School in the Marines. After that, we were in the same training squadron in Flight School. He was stationed on the West Coast for Active Duty and I was on the East Coast. After we got off Active Duty, we joined the reserves at HMH-769 in Alameda. We would then fly together in the same squadron in Alameda, El Toro, Edwards AFB and ultimately Afghanistan over a 12-year period. Flying together in the same military squadron for 12 years is almost unheard of. We did a lot of things together and flew a lot of places together – with many of our other long-term squadron mates.Doug was my friend. I met him at The Basic School in the Marines. After that, we were in the same training squadron in Flight School. He was stationed on the West Coast for Active Duty and I was on the East Coast. After we got off Active Duty, we joined the reserves at HMH-769 in Alameda. We would then fly together in the same squadron in Alameda, El Toro, Edwards AFB and ultimately Afghanistan over a 12-year period. Flying together in the same military squadron for 12 years is almost unheard of. We did a lot of things together and flew a lot of places together – with many of our other long-term squadron mates.
Doug was particularly organized and meticulous – which I am not. But together, we set a plan during our early days in 769 on the back on a napkin over margueritas in a Mexican restaurant in Alameda. It outlined what we wanted to do with the squadron which we both recognized as having incredible potential in an environment where we had the freedom to implement many things. The ultimate graduation exercise of those many, many years of work and training was our deployment to Bagram as part of a Joint Task Force in 2004 – which was incredibly successful. We made an outstanding Command Team. He was a good mentor to me and many others.
Doug was a consummate professional – but he was also a boisterous and fun-loving lad who still had a bit of the youthful fraternity boy in him. When he spoke to you in a conversation – he was engaged as almost no one else is. He listened to what you had to say, commented on it – digested your words and responded to them. His ability to converse easily and intimately as a friend with a wide range of people was perhaps his most unsung attribute. If you observed him in a conversation with someone – you could see that he was fully engaged with that person. That is a seemingly simple, but quite remarkable skill.
He made you feel like you were his friend, and he valued what you said and heard what you said – whether you were an 18-year-old PFC or a Lieutenant Colonel. He was particularly adept at connecting with, communicating with, and sincerely caring about his junior enlisted Marines. I thought I was good at that – but I realized later not only that his ability was next level in that regard, but how critical a skill that is in any organization, especially a military unit 13,000 miles from home for 8 months. It is THE critical skill in Leadership.
Doug was also great about sharing professional knowledge and turned me on to books and reading material that benefitted me and which we put into action. He was always happy and smiling and a true pleasure to be around. It is actually amazing that we all flew together for so many years and that we all still loved to get together with each other. Doug is a big part of our 769 team and always will be present with us. His effect on us is long-lasting…it is a lifetime effect.
Doug loved Cindy and was immensely dedicated to her. I used to tease them that I was the “Lancelot” in their lives trying unsuccessfully to steal away his Guinevere. I was not successful, but my role was in admiration of the royal quality bond that they shared with each other.
The physical departure of a loved one is difficult for us to deal with as humans. We are not well-equipped to let go of the ones we love. So, we don’t, and nor should we. Doug’s spirit will stay with us and surround us in our lives. The energy that made him what he existed between the atomic particles of his physical form. That energy has been released and surrounds us and will stay with us – all of us. He is here and will make his presence known…you just have to be able to recognize him. Remember him at his best: his smile, his spirit, his laugh – the way his eyes looked into you and saw you. He is still here…
Rick Mullen 10-21-24
Doug was particularly organized and meticulous – which I am not. But together, we set a plan during our early days in 769 on the back on a napkin over margueritas in a Mexican restaurant in Alameda. It outlined what we wanted to do with the squadron which we both recognized as having incredible potential in an environment where we had the freedom to implement many things. The ultimate graduation exercise of those many, many years of work and training was our deployment to Bagram as part of a Joint Task Force in 2004 – which was incredibly successful. We made an outstanding Command Team. He was a good mentor to me and many others.
Doug was a consummate professional – but he was also a boisterous and fun-loving lad who still had a bit of the youthful fraternity boy in him. When he spoke to you in a conversation – he was engaged as almost no one else is. He listened to what you had to say, commented on it – digested your words and responded to them. His ability to converse easily and intimately as a friend with a wide range of people was perhaps his most unsung attribute. If you observed him in a conversation with someone – you could see that he was fully engaged with that person. That is a seemingly simple, but quite remarkable skill.
He made you feel like you were his friend, and he valued what you said and heard what you said – whether you were an 18-year-old PFC or a Lieutenant Colonel. He was particularly adept at connecting with, communicating with, and sincerely caring about his junior enlisted Marines. I thought I was good at that – but I realized later not only that his ability was next level in that regard, but how critical a skill that is in any organization, especially a military unit 13,000 miles from home for 8 months. It is THE critical skill in Leadership.
Doug was also great about sharing professional knowledge and turned me on to books and reading material that benefitted me and which we put into action. He was always happy and smiling and a true pleasure to be around. It is actually amazing that we all flew together for so many years and that we all still loved to get together with each other. Doug is a big part of our 769 team and always will be present with us. His effect on us is long-lasting…it is a lifetime effect.
Doug loved Cindy and was immensely dedicated to her. I used to tease them that I was the “Lancelot” in their lives trying unsuccessfully to steal away his Guinevere. I was not successful, but my role was in admiration of the royal quality bond that they shared with each other.
The physical departure of a loved one is difficult for us to deal with as humans. We are not well-equipped to let go of the ones we love. So, we don’t, and nor should we. Doug’s spirit will stay with us and surround us in our lives. The energy that made him what he existed between the atomic particles of his physical form. That energy has been released and surrounds us and will stay with us – all of us. He is here and will make his presence known…you just have to be able to recognize him. Remember him at his best: his smile, his spirit, his laugh – the way his eyes looked into you and saw you. He is still here…
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I’m so sorry for your loss. Doug was a great guy. Always had a smile and an enthusiastic word for everyone. I went through Basic School with him. Gone too soon.I’m so sorry for your loss. Doug was a great guy. Always had a smile and an enthusiastic word for everyone. I went through Basic School with him. Gone too soon.
Semper fi. Stefan Kristen
Semper fi. -
Semper Fi Skipper A. J Bricca SgtMaj. USMC (Ret.) 18 Oct. 2024Semper Fi Skipper
Douglas Michael Sasso
1961-2024
Laguna Hills, CA
Douglas Michael Sasso, a resident of Laguna Hills, CA, passed away September 17, 2024, after valiantly battling stomach cancer. Doug was 63 years old. Born August 22, 1961 to Mary Sheila (Harmon) and Michael J. Sasso, in Joliet, IL, he was a Marine Officer, beloved husband, son, brother, stepfather and grandfather, who touched so many lives with a gentlemanly and thoughtful passion for mentoring others. He was also gregarious and a people person.
He graduated from Joliet Catholic HS in 1979, then attended the University of Illinois, Champagne-Urbana, graduating in 1984. Most notably, he was a Sigma Chi fraternity member, where he flourished as the handsome, blond hottie, who graced the pages of “The Men of UI” calendar. But most importantly, lifelong friendships were forged at the University.
After college, Doug was commissioned in the US Marine Corp—serving 23 years—and was honorably discharged as a Lt. Colonel in 2007. His aviation call sign was “Venus,” and he honed his piloting skills flying the CH-53D/E Super Stallion helicopters during both combat and humanitarian operations. He was deployed to Desert Storm (1991-92), Afghanistan (2004) and numerous other deployments. He loved flying helicopters, so it was a natural progression that he continued civilian flying at American Eagle and American Airlines. Eventually flying the 787 Dreamliner.
HONORS
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Global War on Terror Expeditionary medal (Afghan), Sea Service Deployment Ribbon; Armed Forces Reserve Medal; National Defense Service Medal (W/1 star; Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, 3rd award; Meritorious Unit Commendation, 2nd Award; SW Asia Service Medal, w/2 Bronze Stars; Air Medal Strike Flight, 3rd award; Kuwait Liberation Medal; Navy Unit Commendation.
Doug met the love of his life Cindy in 1989 at a UCI-sponsored “College Night” party. He told friends that he saw this “gorgeous long-haired girl with fantastic legs,” who was working the event. Cindy was an Academic/Staff Personnel Director at the University. Her interests mirrored his, and they were married October, 1993. Throughout their 35-year relationship, “Cindybelle” and Doug were devoted to each other. And each year they would attend the Marine Corp Ball, a stunning couple. He proudly noted that his first job was as a paperboy. So every morning, he would refold the newspaper into a paperboy pouch, and toss it to his bride.
The highlight of each year was their annual Fezzywig Christmas party, attended by friends, family and the neighborhood. Doug wore his holiday vest and happily served shots to anyone brave enough to partake. He was a conversationalist, and his knowledge and manner of addressing issues with detailed explanations was astounding. Having grown up in the mid-West, he was a die-hard fan of the Chicago Blackhawks, Bears, Bulls and Cubs. In addition, list-toppers included: Cindybelle, family, flying, Sigma Chi fraternity, the USMC, American Airlines Flight crews, Cindy’s banana bread, and his golden retriever, Sheena.. He also liked to garden and use his Binford 5000 Blower to clear out the carport and the entire street. But he had an irrational dislike of vegetables, fruit and fish. Go figure!
He is survived by a large extended family: his wife Cindy (Wieber) of 31 years; stepson Shane (Danielle) Finnerty; grandson Conor Finnerty; of Oceanside, CA., mother Mary Sheila Sasso; of Crawfordsville, IN., sisters Karen of Aliso Viejo, CA., and Sheila Sasso of Plainfield, IL, and numerous cousins, in-laws and outlaws. Preceded in death by his father, Michael Sasso. A Vigil will be held at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Aliso Viejo, CA., at 9:00am on October 9th, followed by Mass at 9:30. Interment to follow at 1:15pm at Miramar National Cemetery in San Diego, CA.
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