thedrifter
03-02-06, 03:20 PM
Station Marines honor fallen brothers-in-arms
MCAS New River
Story by Lance Cpl. Samuel D. White
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, N.C. (March 2, 2006) -- A tranquil silence fell over the crowd of Marines, Airmen, Sailors and family members as they gazed upon photos of their loved ones at the Station Memorial Chapel. Sunlight beamed through stained glass windows and fell upon 10 crosses, adorned with helmets, dog tags and flight jackets and tears fell down the faces of lowered heads as they remembered what the Marines and Airmen gave in support of operations in the Horn of Africa and in support of their country.
On Friday, Feb. 17, eight New River Marines and two Airmen perished in a training mission off the coast of northern Djibouti and on Feb. 28, the 10 crewmembers were memorialized by an audience of hundreds.
“They gave everything they had for us, for each other, to complete their mission, to bring honor to themselves and our Corps and to carry out the (mission) of our great nation,” said Lt. Col. Jeffery P. Martinez, Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron-464 commanding officer. “I knew these men, I trained them, and I loved them like my own sons.”
The eight fallen Marines and two Airmen were assisting a combined joint task force that conducts operations and training to assist host nations in establishing a secure environment to enable regional stability when their two CH-53E “Super Stallions” crashed into each other, killing all but two of the crewmembers.
“They carried on their wings the dream of America; to bring help to those who needed it most,” said Martinez of his fellow “Condors.”
Though not all could view the ceremony from inside the chapel, Marines and families from the surrounding area watched the proceedings on televisions from both tents posted just outside the building and from the Station Theater located next door.
“(The ceremony) was important to the base and important for our community as well,” said Cmdr. Frederick A. Hilder, Marine Aircraft Group-29 chaplain. “This is a Marine town and what happens here at New River affects everybody; you all, your neighbors and even your business people.”
Affected most by the ceremony, though, were the families and fellow Marines of the fallen “Condors.”
“This (ceremony) is their chance to begin healing,” said Col. Christopher S. Owens, MAG-29 commanding officer, of the families and Marines of HMH-464. “There is no closure, but at some point the sorrow turns to inspiration.”
An inspiration that will constantly be in the hearts and minds of the Marines of HMH-464 and lead the “Condors” through their next milestone, said Martinez.
“The loss of eight ‘Condors’ and their impact on the unit reminds us that the contributions of each Marine are vital to ensure that our squadron is mission ready,” said Martinez. “Every time we strap into our aircraft, the memory of these men will be with us; their pride, their strength and the incredible experiences we shared.”
Those remembered were Capt. Bryan D. Willard, 1st Lt. Brandon R. Dronet, Sgt. James F. Fordyce, Sgt. Donnie Leo F. Levens, Sgt. Jonathan E. McColley, Cpl. Matthieu Marcellus, Lance Cpl. Samuel W. Large, Lance Cpl. Nicholas J. Sovie, Senior Airman Alecia S. Good and Staff Sgt. Luis M. Melendez Sanchez.
Ellie
MCAS New River
Story by Lance Cpl. Samuel D. White
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, N.C. (March 2, 2006) -- A tranquil silence fell over the crowd of Marines, Airmen, Sailors and family members as they gazed upon photos of their loved ones at the Station Memorial Chapel. Sunlight beamed through stained glass windows and fell upon 10 crosses, adorned with helmets, dog tags and flight jackets and tears fell down the faces of lowered heads as they remembered what the Marines and Airmen gave in support of operations in the Horn of Africa and in support of their country.
On Friday, Feb. 17, eight New River Marines and two Airmen perished in a training mission off the coast of northern Djibouti and on Feb. 28, the 10 crewmembers were memorialized by an audience of hundreds.
“They gave everything they had for us, for each other, to complete their mission, to bring honor to themselves and our Corps and to carry out the (mission) of our great nation,” said Lt. Col. Jeffery P. Martinez, Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron-464 commanding officer. “I knew these men, I trained them, and I loved them like my own sons.”
The eight fallen Marines and two Airmen were assisting a combined joint task force that conducts operations and training to assist host nations in establishing a secure environment to enable regional stability when their two CH-53E “Super Stallions” crashed into each other, killing all but two of the crewmembers.
“They carried on their wings the dream of America; to bring help to those who needed it most,” said Martinez of his fellow “Condors.”
Though not all could view the ceremony from inside the chapel, Marines and families from the surrounding area watched the proceedings on televisions from both tents posted just outside the building and from the Station Theater located next door.
“(The ceremony) was important to the base and important for our community as well,” said Cmdr. Frederick A. Hilder, Marine Aircraft Group-29 chaplain. “This is a Marine town and what happens here at New River affects everybody; you all, your neighbors and even your business people.”
Affected most by the ceremony, though, were the families and fellow Marines of the fallen “Condors.”
“This (ceremony) is their chance to begin healing,” said Col. Christopher S. Owens, MAG-29 commanding officer, of the families and Marines of HMH-464. “There is no closure, but at some point the sorrow turns to inspiration.”
An inspiration that will constantly be in the hearts and minds of the Marines of HMH-464 and lead the “Condors” through their next milestone, said Martinez.
“The loss of eight ‘Condors’ and their impact on the unit reminds us that the contributions of each Marine are vital to ensure that our squadron is mission ready,” said Martinez. “Every time we strap into our aircraft, the memory of these men will be with us; their pride, their strength and the incredible experiences we shared.”
Those remembered were Capt. Bryan D. Willard, 1st Lt. Brandon R. Dronet, Sgt. James F. Fordyce, Sgt. Donnie Leo F. Levens, Sgt. Jonathan E. McColley, Cpl. Matthieu Marcellus, Lance Cpl. Samuel W. Large, Lance Cpl. Nicholas J. Sovie, Senior Airman Alecia S. Good and Staff Sgt. Luis M. Melendez Sanchez.
Ellie