MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. -- The small chapel, attached to the Airman Memorial Chapel, Miramar was dedicated the Felix Chapel in honor of Petty Officer First Class Jose M. Felix, in a ceremony Dec. 11.

After a two-year petition process, former Commandant Gen. Michael W. Hagee authorized the dedication of the chapel.

Felix served four years as a Marine at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center 29 Palms before enlisting in the Navy. Years later, he served as a religious program specialist lead petty officer for the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. He served in this billet until illness cut short his military career.

Shortly after returning from his second deployment to Kuwait City, Kuwait, Felix was diagnosed with brain cancer and medically discharged from the military. He died of the illness in 2004.
Attendees of the ceremony reminisced about Felix’s undying dedication to country, God, and family. They all agreed that no one’s service compared to his, solidifying him as an inspirational leader, and a selfless assistant with a “spiritual maturity that made him the junior of no one,” according to his former chaplain, Lt. Clifford Stewart.

“Above all, he exemplified the Navy and Marine Corps core values of honor, courage and commitment…” said Master Chief Petty Officer Donald B. Whigan, senior enlisted, Branch Clinic, Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton. “Congratulations to you Petty Officer Felix. I will always remember when you walked around my room saying ‘I will have the same office just like yours, I will have the same plaques.’ Now I envy you, your name will be on this chapel. Well done shipmate.”

“He lived his last months like he lived his whole life,” said Stewart, the final chaplain for whom Felix served. “He dedicated almost his entire life to two things: His wife and his country. He served those who served their country like nobody else I’ve ever seen. He didn’t win a Medal of Honor. He didn’t die in combat, but to be honest, few people live as honorably as Religious Program Specialist Felix did.”

Felix chapel seats approximately 75 people and is used for religious services, bible studies and religious education classes.

“I hope that many Marines, sailors and their families will find, in this house of prayer, inner peace and strength,” said Capt. Brian F. Kelly, command chaplain, MCAS Miramar.