A Notice of Mourning by Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center from January 11, 2018.
This week, we mourn the untimely death of one of our own. Navy Lieutenant Claire Elizabeth VanLandingham, 27, died Jan. 3 in Lake Forest, Ill. Lieutenant VanLandingham worked at the USS Osborne - Lovell Federal Health Care Center's branch dental clinic (Bldg. 1017) at Naval Station Great Lakes Recruit Training Command (RTC).
Lieutenant VanLandingham was new to the USS Osborne at Lovell FHCC and was partway through her first-year credentialing tour after completing dental school in 2017. However, in the span of a few months, she already had made her mark on those she worked with, and beyond.
In December, Lieutenant VanLandingham enthusiastically completed the FHCC Tactical Combat Casualty Care course to advance her deployment readiness level in the Navy, even though she wasn't required to do so as a dentist.
"I haven't done anything like this before," she told an interviewer after successfully finishing the course. "It's much more than combat lifesaving (training), more advanced training ... The class was amazing, and I learned a lot."
Lieutenant VanLandingham was commissioned a Navy Dental Corps officer Dec. 9, 2013. She graduated from the University of Louisville School of Dentistry early last year, was promoted to lieutenant in May, 2017, and was assigned to the USS Osborne at Lovell FHCC in August, 2017.
She was a shining star at USS Osborne, and was rapidly learning and advancing according to the officer managing and mentoring the new dentists completing their credentialing year there. "She was a fantastic dentist, who earned the respect of every patient ... I told her detailer she would be ready for wherever she would be assigned in the Navy," said Commander Kristi Erickson.
At her memorial service at RTC, Captain Bradford Smith, Lovell FHCC commanding officer and deputy director, said, "Our job is to ready warriors to go into battle. The work she did at the USS Osborne was absolutely critical. She cared for hundreds of patients ... the dental work she did is on the battlefield, under the sea, in the air. Her Sailors are stationed around the world and will be for decades. She will always be a part of the U.S. Navy, of Lovell FHCC, of the USS Osborne. She will always be in our hearts."
One of the final paragraphs of Lieutenant VanLandingham's obituary reads - "Everyone who met her wanted to be like her. Her friends' final gift back to her is a hashtag: #BeMoreLikeClaire."
Many will miss Lieutenant VanLandingham. May she rest in peace.

Ann Marie Neeley Facebook Post - January 3, 2023
I had a friend named Claire VanLandingham, who was a bright light in this world. She was intelligent, kind, compassionate, empathic, beautiful, giving, silly, gracious, and an all-around special and wonderful person. Five years ago (I can't believe it's been so long already) she was killed in an act of domestic violence. She did so much good in so little time and it hurts to miss out on what else she would have accomplished and done to help make this place better. I had hoped to help her get her baby latched one day. My heart breaks on this, the fifth anniversary of her death. Grief sucks and I miss her so much it hurts. Rest in love, dear Claire. I love you.
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Gigi Nieto One-year anniversary Facebook Post - January 2, 2019
"Today was a very difficult day, as it marks one year since one of my greatest friends was taken: Claire, who will always be an example of love to me.
Violent acts have no reason and taking someone's life by violence should NEVER happen. Domestic violence is a very serious problem worldwide and it strikes when we least expect it, marking the lives of so many people forever. I feel so angry and so much more sadness thinking about this but still, I try to remember our friendship, local jokes, deep talks and everything nice.
Let's work every day to be a kinder, more helpful society, filled with acts of love, hugs, laughter, dancing and kindness. If everything around us seems to be wrong, let us be that spark of light that illuminates life.
I miss you so much Goldie
#TwinSisters #BeMoreLikeClaire"

Hanover Vint Memorial Facebook Post - January 13, 2019
"Our sweet girl's memorial card has stood on this table for exactly one year today. I thought maybe it's time to start looking forward, but couldn't bear not seeing her precious face every day from here on. I choose a frame to complement the one holiding Micky's mother's pick and I trimmed down Claire's memorial pic. As I was fitting it into its frame, i realized that YOU gave me the frame as a gift when we all lived in Terre Haute, Shannon. A beautiful gift surrounding a beatiful soul.

February 19, 2019 FaceBook Post from Cierra Johnson
Today's #TributeTuesday comes from Cierra Johnson
"It’s been a tough day at school/work/practice, and you see them. Your favorite classmate/co-worker/teammate that brings you so much joy walks in the room, and you already feel more at peace. That’s who Claire was for me. A friend and classmate who brought so much joy and laughter even on a difficult day. She loved others deeply-- her family, friends, patients, classmates, strangers. I heard her stories of you all, and she had some pretty hilarious and wonderful people in her life. She was a listener. She would ask someone a question about themselves and take in their response with so much respect. She’d hear you make a comment that you love anchors because of a favorite verse of yours, and months later, she’d get you an anchor charm for Christmas. She was someone who celebrated others--with kind words, cards, congratulations, cupcakes, and showers. She was full of empathy. Even the most calloused person could leave Claire saying, “Maybe there’s something going on in his/her life that we do not know about.” She was a doer. Claire juggled dental school, being a Big Sister, volunteering, working at her church, and her time with family and friends as gracefully as her dance moves were. Looking back on the way she lived her life, I have learned that it’s important to not just speak kind words to people; we must do for others. Claire loved her community and took action as a response of her love. Thank you for believing in me, for your silly impressions, for making me laugh in the lab at midnight, for Just Dance parties with Jerry, for your baked goods, for your listening ear, for attempting to scare our classmates, for saving me my favorite Panera bagel when AAWD was selling them in the mornings, for dinners, for trips to the park, for picking me up when I was afraid to drive in the snow, and for showing all of us what it looks like to use our hands, feet, and hearts to give away kindness. I hope you know just how loved you were, Clairebear. "
#BeMoreLikeClaire
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