John Kuvakas
On behalf of the officers and members of the Virginia Society Sons of the American Revolution, please accept our heartfelt and belated condolences.
Rev. John Kuvakas
VSSAR Chaplain
Birth date: Aug 8, 1958 Death date: Jan 31, 2025
Commander Colgate Whitehead Salomon, USN Ret., 66 of Broadlands, Virginia passed away peacefully on Friday, January 31, 2025, surrounded by his family. Born Friday, August 8, 1958, in Daytona Beach, Florida, he was the son of the Read Obituary
On behalf of the officers and members of the Virginia Society Sons of the American Revolution, please accept our heartfelt and belated condolences.
Rev. John Kuvakas
VSSAR Chaplain
I was so sorry to learn of Colgate's passing. My deepest sympathy to the entire family for your loss.
I knew Colgate back in the late 90's/early 2,000 when we rode together in a vanpool from Leesburg/Ashburn to Crystal City (Arlington), VA. While it has been many years since I have seen him, I will always remember him as being a very kind, compassionate and caring person. We all enjoyed having him in our vanpool.
May God's grace shine upon you and fill your heart with peace, comfort and memories of the times you had together.
With deepest sympathy,
Juanita Havener
Leesburg, VA

Colgate was an inspiration to me and shaped my Navy career early on. I was a student Midshipman at Tulane when LT Salomon was an NROTC instructor. I was the lead midshipman in the sailing program and served each summer to help in the large boat training program. LT Salomon was one of the officers in charge of summer training, and we had excellent trips from New Orleans to Key West and back each year. The first summer included a major storm and we ran aground attempting to run the bar to get into Crystal River FL. He thought his career was over since we frown upon running aground in the Navy. I had spent about 15 hours at the helm while the rest of the crew was seasick belowdecks. The next semester when my poor Freshman academics should have resulted in an Academic Review Board, LT Salomon, in charge of those review boards, just called me into his office, admonished me to study better (and party less)—instead of making me endure the painful process of a formal hearing with the Professor of Naval Science. I was grateful to get a “pass” thanks to our shared time on the sailboat that summer. I managed to graduate and complete a successful 28-year career, retiring as a Captain. I had hoped to follow his footsteps and fly, but a Navy aviation waiver for 20/50 vision stopped just before my senior year. Colgate stayed in touch throughout my career—always interested and connected with his Tulane NROTC students. I was always grateful for his interest and advice. Warm regards to the family in this difficult time. Tate Westbrook.
Our hearts and prayers are with your family shipmate. I remember the stories you shared of your youth and I truly admired your perseverance, resilience, dedication and determination for better. Fair winds and following seas. May you Rest in Peace. -Angelique Gooden McDaniels (YN2 /USN/GULFWARVET) Skinny Dragon