Thomas Modly, the acting Secretary of the U.S. Navy, has abruptly resigned from his post after falling under intense scrutiny. Modly was widely criticized after reports emerged of him insulting former U.S.S. Roosevelt Capt. Brett Crozier, who was fired fom his post after asking the military to step in and help sailors on his ship who had been infected by the coronavirus or were at risk of being infected.
When Crozier was fired, his shipmates gave him a roaring standing ovation that went viral. Modly went in the exact opposite direction, making a trip to Guam where the Roosevelt is currently stationed and directly insulting Crozier, calling him "stupid" in a meeting with the ship's crew.
Speaking directly to the crew over the ship's loudspeaker, Modly described Crozier as "too naive or too stupid to be the commanding officer of a ship like this," and accused Crozier of deliberately leaking the letter he wrote asking for assistance for his crew. Nearly 200 members of the Roosevelt crew have tested positive for coronavirus.
After understandable outrage from the media, public, and specifically the crew's family members, members of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee began calling for his resignation.
Modly attempted to walk back his criticism slightly. In a letter published Monday night he wrote:
"Let me be clear, I do not think Captain Brett Crozier is naive nor stupid. I think, and always believed him to be the opposite ... We pick our carrier commanding officers with great care. Captain Crozier is smart and passionate. I believe, precisely because he is not naive and stupid, that he sent his alarming email with the intention of getting it into the public domain in an effort to draw public attention to the situation on his ship. I apologize for any confusion this choice of words may have caused."
Needless to say, those comments did not help the situation.
By Tuesday morning, Modly offered his resignation in a formal letter and minutes later formally resigned from his post, according to The Washington Post.
The Defense Department (which reportedly pressured Modly to apologize) and U.S. Navy have not commented on his resignation. However, according to CNN, Undersecretary of the Army James McPherson has been picked to succeed Modly in his post.
Modly was in his position for less than 5 months and had yet to have the "acting" portion of his title changed to full Secretary of the Navy.
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Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.