Photos for Headline Surfer / NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Father's Day is bittersweet for Mark Severance, a New Smyrna Beach police officer and retired Marine.
"Father's Day (June 15,1986) our son, 'Kyle David Severance,' was born at the Naval Hospital, Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point, NC," the elder Severance wrote on his Facebook page.
"21 Months later he was killed in a car accident while I was forward deployed in the Mediterranean Sea."
Severance noted that today on this Father's Day, his son, Kyle, would have celebrated his 27th birthday.
And with the passage of time, Severance is able to share such a personal memory with friends and strangers alike on a social media setting like Facebook.
Severance wrote: "Although he was only with us a little while...He was a blessing and a joy!! Missing you today Kyle..."
Severance ended his Father's Day message directly to his late son with, "Love, Mom and Dad."
"Although he was only with us a little while...He was a blessing and a joy!! Missing you today Kyle..."
New Smyrna Beach police officer Mark Severance wrote on his Facebook page of his son, Kyle, born on Father's Day 1986, and tragically killed three months before his second birthday. Severance ended his Father's Day message directly to his late son with, "Love, Mom and Dad."
Some friends on Facebook told Severance they were unaware of his family's tragedy.
"That's a sad post," one friend wrote. "Had to be heartbreaking. Good that you hold his memory close to your heart."
Another wrote: "I had no idea. This breaks my heart. He's a beautiful little boy. And this is a beautiful post."
Another succinctly wrote: "Heart wrenching. So so sorry for your loss. Happy Birthday Kyle."
In all, 18 Facebook friends responded with comments and another three dozen indicated they liked his posting.