Groton — For Karina Pistritto, this was where it all started for her son Tanner Brach.

Brach was an energetic kid who, at times, was hard to keep in line and lacked focus, so his mother enrolled him in the local division of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps.

"When he put on that uniform, he was a totally different kid," Pistritto said. "He had so much pride, and he was so respectful."

The experience led him to join the Navy out of high school.

That's why Pistritto, 47, who now lives in Palm Bay, Fla., traveled to Groton for the Naval Submarine Base's annual event honoring the families of U.S. service members killed while serving on active duty, not just those lost in combat. The ceremony coincided with similar events held at Navy installations across the country Thursday.

Brach died unexpectedly on Aug. 7, 2017, at the age of 24. He was stationed at Naval Base San Diego at the time of his death, which still is under investigation, his mother said.

Brach had recently returned from Japan, where he served as an aviation ordnanceman aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington, responsible for the storing, servicing, inspecting and handling of weapons and ammunition on board. He'd recently re-enlisted for another six years, his mother said, and he intended to make a career out of his naval service.

While her son had a knack for goofing off, he knew when to be serious. He got the job done, Pistritto said.

After his death, his mother heard about various kind gestures he'd made toward people who knew him.

"You always think your kid is pretty great," said Pistritto, who was wearing Brach's "dog tag" around her neck, but still, she was surprised to hear the things he had done, not looking for any recognition.

While she goes to counseling, getting involved with military ceremonies and events like Thursday's has helped Pistritto cope with the loss of her son.

"We walk a path that is difficult for many to understand. ... To have a family member serve in the military, much less be wounded or killed in combat, is a growing rarity in American society today," said Capt. Paul Whitescarver, commanding officer of the sub base. "Less than 1 percent of Americans are in the military today compared to 10 percent during World War II."

The names of 28 fallen service members, submitted by their families and also local military personnel, were read aloud at Thursday's ceremony. Hearing her nephew's name — Navy Seaman Mario O. Patterson — read aloud brought back a lot of memories for Gweneth Myles of Hartford.

"It was as if he was right in front of me," Myles said.

Patterson died 18 years and six months ago in a car accident but his family has far from forgotten him, she added, noting that she, his mother, Clethelde Palmer of Hartford, and his aunt Bernice Nisbett, who traveled from Jamaica to attend the ceremony, all have pictures of him in his uniform in their homes.

j.bergman@theday.com