Franklin Redd, center left, and Eileen Redd, center right, the parents of late U.S. Coast Guard Seaman Recruit Aaron Redd, stand to be recognized during recruit company Delta 193's graduation ceremony Friday, Aug. 19, 2016, at the U.S. Coast Guard Training Center in Cape May, N.J. Seaman Recruit Aaron Redd of Stafford, N.J., a U.S. Coast Guard recruit from Virginia who collapsed and died in July 2016 after a 1.5-mile physical fitness run at a New Jersey training center, became an honorary graduate Friday, Aug. 19, 2016, during recruit company Delta 193's graduation ceremony. (Chief Warrant Officer John Edwards/U.S. Coast Guard via AP)
Republished August 19, 2016 - 2:02 PM
Original Publication Date August 19, 2016 - 11:25 AM
CAPE MAY, N.J. - A Coast Guard recruit from Virginia who collapsed and died after a physical fitness run at a New Jersey training centre has been made an honorary graduate.
The Coast Guard says Aaron Redd received the honour during Friday's graduation ceremony for his recruit company at the Coast Guard Training Center in Cape May.
It's unclear why 21-year-old Redd, of Stafford, collapsed July 1 after a 1.5-mile run at the centre. He died five days later.
Redd's parents say Friday's honour helped their son fulfil his dream of becoming a Coast Guardsman.
Capt. Owen Gibbons says Redd and his family "are forever part of our Coast Guard family now."
Following Redd's death, his heart was donated to a person in need of a transplant through the Gift of Life program.
News from © The Associated Press, 2016