Darrell Shipp remembered by school counselor

HARLINGEN — Army Pfc. Darrell Shipp, the first soldier from Harlingen to die in the Iraq war, left a mark on his family, friends and country, his high school counselor said Friday.

“My initial reaction (to his death) was disbelief,” Lisa Hall said Friday. “I was not surprised that he had enlisted, but I was in disbelief that it actually happened. There’s definite sadness.”

Hall said Shipp, 25, had always taken pride in his country and citizenship and wanted to be part of something big.

“He wanted to do something bigger than himself,” Hall said. “He had high convictions and was very patriotic. He wanted to go fight for his country.”

Hall, a counselor at Harlingen High School, was Shipp’s career counselor beginning his freshman year. Through career connection classes aimed at preparing students for high school graduation and college, Shipp became one of the first students at Harlingen High School to take dual enrollment classes at Texas State Technical College, Hall added.

“I didn’t see him every day, or every month, which is probably a good indicator of what a good student he was,” Hall said. “But what I really remember is what a good sense of humor he had.”

Hall remembered Shipp as a smart student, involved in organizations such as Vocational Industrial Clubs of America — now called SkillsUSA — and the technology club.

He also took aircraft classes at TSTC and graduated from high school in 2000 with the curriculum recognition of Texas Scholar.

“He was not the run-of-the-mill kind of kid,” Hall said. “He was caring, giving, had impeccable punctuality and attendance. He was a role model and a very considerate young man.”

Hall said she believes Shipp was proud of his accomplishments and his service to his country.

“He wouldn’t have picked today (to die),” Hall said. “He would’ve wanted to live longer. We did lose a great citizen.”

Hall said she is proud of the students who choose to fight for what is right when there are so many opportunities to do what is wrong.

From the Herald

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