thedrifter
02-23-08, 12:10 PM
Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262 dedicates plaque to fallen Marine
Feb. 22, 2008; Submitted on: 02/23/2008 04:17:37 AM ; Story ID#: 200822341737
By Lance Cpl. David Rogers, MCB Camp Butler
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/200822344849/$file/080215-M-7843R-029low.jpg
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION FUTENMA, OKINAWA, Japan (Feb. 22, 2008) -- Marines of Medium Marine Helicopter Squadron 262, the “Flying Tigers,” gathered at Thirsty’s Enlisted Club here Feb. 15 to unveil a plaque in memory of Cpl. Tom Saba, a fallen member of the squadron.
Saba, a crew chief with HMM-262, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, died in a helicopter crash in Iraq Feb. 7, 2007 after the aircraft became engaged in combat while delivering medical aid.
“We have an obligation to honor this Marine because he was our friend,” said Lt. Col. Michael Farrell, former commanding officer of HMM-262 and currently the executive officer for MAG-36. “He was our colleague. He was a guy that we knew personally. He was a guy who helped you and helped us get to Iraq, and he was a very important part of the way we accomplished that mission.”
The Marines of HMM-262 decided to hang the plaque at the club because they wanted it to become a talking point for future visitors.
“The reason we’re putting it here instead of our squadron is because we truly believe the Saba story should be told to more than just HMM-262,” said Master Gunnery Sgt. Wayne Williams, maintenance chief for the squadron. The gathering was part of a transition after a year of remembrance for the few Marines left in the squadron who knew Saba.
“This is the final farewell for everybody who’s left here that might be coming up on the end of their tours,” said Pfc. Alex Sexton, a flight line mechanic for HMM-262 and a friend of Saba.
Over the past year, Marines of the squadron have taken several steps to preserve his memory, including keeping Saba’s name on a CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter where the names of crew members are painted on the side, hanging up his protective flight helmet, saving a decorated piece of helicopter armor that Saba painted, and contributing content to Saba’s memorial Web site.
Even though most of the Marines who knew Saba left Okinawa, he still deserves to be remembered by Marines who have never had the opportunity to get to know him, according to Williams.
“Tom Saba and every ‘Flying Tiger’ in this room is a representation of what is best in our nation,” Farrell said during the dedication. “You are individuals that made a decision to enlist in the United States Marine Corps to defend your nation in combat and then to put your life on the line. That, I think, is one of the primary reasons we honor those that have fallen. It’s not just because he’s one of our own. He’s a Marine, and he’s one of the finest Americans.”
Ellie
Feb. 22, 2008; Submitted on: 02/23/2008 04:17:37 AM ; Story ID#: 200822341737
By Lance Cpl. David Rogers, MCB Camp Butler
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/200822344849/$file/080215-M-7843R-029low.jpg
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION FUTENMA, OKINAWA, Japan (Feb. 22, 2008) -- Marines of Medium Marine Helicopter Squadron 262, the “Flying Tigers,” gathered at Thirsty’s Enlisted Club here Feb. 15 to unveil a plaque in memory of Cpl. Tom Saba, a fallen member of the squadron.
Saba, a crew chief with HMM-262, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, died in a helicopter crash in Iraq Feb. 7, 2007 after the aircraft became engaged in combat while delivering medical aid.
“We have an obligation to honor this Marine because he was our friend,” said Lt. Col. Michael Farrell, former commanding officer of HMM-262 and currently the executive officer for MAG-36. “He was our colleague. He was a guy that we knew personally. He was a guy who helped you and helped us get to Iraq, and he was a very important part of the way we accomplished that mission.”
The Marines of HMM-262 decided to hang the plaque at the club because they wanted it to become a talking point for future visitors.
“The reason we’re putting it here instead of our squadron is because we truly believe the Saba story should be told to more than just HMM-262,” said Master Gunnery Sgt. Wayne Williams, maintenance chief for the squadron. The gathering was part of a transition after a year of remembrance for the few Marines left in the squadron who knew Saba.
“This is the final farewell for everybody who’s left here that might be coming up on the end of their tours,” said Pfc. Alex Sexton, a flight line mechanic for HMM-262 and a friend of Saba.
Over the past year, Marines of the squadron have taken several steps to preserve his memory, including keeping Saba’s name on a CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter where the names of crew members are painted on the side, hanging up his protective flight helmet, saving a decorated piece of helicopter armor that Saba painted, and contributing content to Saba’s memorial Web site.
Even though most of the Marines who knew Saba left Okinawa, he still deserves to be remembered by Marines who have never had the opportunity to get to know him, according to Williams.
“Tom Saba and every ‘Flying Tiger’ in this room is a representation of what is best in our nation,” Farrell said during the dedication. “You are individuals that made a decision to enlist in the United States Marine Corps to defend your nation in combat and then to put your life on the line. That, I think, is one of the primary reasons we honor those that have fallen. It’s not just because he’s one of our own. He’s a Marine, and he’s one of the finest Americans.”
Ellie