Fallen US Marines from Osprey crash honoured in Darwin healing ceremony

A healing ceremony has been held in honour of the three US Marines who perished in last year’s tragic Melville Island Osprey crash, with one mother saying her “spiritual” son would have loved the occasion.

A healing ceremony has been held in honour of the US Marines who perished in last year’s tragic Melville Island Osprey crash.

More than a year after the accident which claimed three lives, this week family members of Major Tobin Lewis, Captain Eleanor LeBeau and Corporal Spencer Collart landed in Darwin to visit the city their loved ones were last posted to.

On Thursday morning, the family members, accompanied by survivors of the crash, were treated to a healing ceremony on the shores of Cullen Bay which was led by members of the Larrakia and Tiwi Island communities.

A smoking ceremony commences with the visiting families. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

The parents of Spencer, Bart and Alexia Collart, said they were touched by the “meaningful” ceremony.

“We’ve very honoured by everything the native people have done and the Australians - they’ve just been wonderful,” Mr Collart said.

“And our Marine Corps family has been wonderful as well, it’s been just an honour to be here and we really appreciate it.”

Members of the Tiwi community perform song and dance as part of the healing ceremony. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

 
As part of the ceremony, the Tiwi Islanders also announced the traditional names they had chosen for each of the fallen Marines.

Survivors of the crash have also been given a Tiwi name, ‘wurriyangimipila’.

Ms Collart said the sacred event would have been to her son’s liking.

“Spencer was very spiritual so I know he would have loved this and I know that he is going to be on his way,” she said.

“We’ve had many signs from him and we miss him so much.

“We’re just so proud of him.”

Families of the fallen were formally greeted by and welcomed into the Tiwi family on Thursday. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

With the ceremony complete, the fallen Marines, referred to as ‘eldest brother’, ‘little brother’ and ‘little sister’, have officially joined the Tiwi family.

US Deputy Chief of Mission to Australia, Erika Olsen, said her nation was “eternally grateful” to the people of Tiwi and Darwin.

“This is truly a great honour, we thank the Tiwi family for sharing their land, their culture with us and for honouring us today with your healing ceremony,” she said.

“It means the world to our Marines and their families and to the United States.”

The families will now visit Melville Island where they will be hosted by locals. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

The families will now turn their attention to the site where their loved ones died, with a trip to Melville Island to occur on Friday.

Lieutenant Colonel Eileen Hall of the Australian Army said the Tiwi Islanders had requested to meet the American families.

“One of the things that important to understand is that you might not be family by class, but you’re family by culture,” she said.

Originally published as Fallen US Marines from Osprey crash honoured in Darwin healing ceremony