HEROES

There have been many heroes in recorded history.  Not all heroes make these records, but yet others do.  Some know "Heroes" while others know of them, yet there are others that don't know these gallant men and women of the world.  Firefighters and Police have recently come into the limelight with the terrorist events of 11 SEP, 2001 as fitting to be called "Hero", as many met their fate that morning in New York City, NY as cowards crashed into the twin towers of the World Trade Center in the heart of Manhattan.  

Yet, there are still other heroes that haven't received their spotlight.  These heroes are the men and women wearing the uniforms of Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines of the United States of America.  I have had the privilege of serving with more than one of these fallen heroes.

AC-130-H known as "Preditor" was lost off the coast of Malindi, Kenya on 14 March, 1994.  While I don't know all these men, I was friends with SSgt Eyler and MSgt Duncan.

Those that know me, KNOW what these two verses from the Bible mean.  They also hold a special meaning to special people.  Those that know, well, they just know!  If you don't know what this means, then just ponder on these for a while and see if you can't figure it out!

"The Lord knows the way I take, and when He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold"

JOB 23:10

"Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me." 

ISAIAH 6:8

"Jockey 14"

If you would like to help out the families of those special operations warriors lost in the crash of Jockey 14, please stop by the Airman Memorial Foundation. The "Jockey 14" Educational Fund is managed for the 16th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt AFB, Florida. The fund plans to award scholarships and humanitarian assistance to the family members of the eight airman killed in the crash.

69-6576  Preditor (was Bad Company, was Widow Maker)
Modified to AC-130H configuration
Lost on March 15, 1994 over the Indian Ocean (off the coast of Kenya), loss of eight crewmembers.
    Captain Anthony Stefanik, Fire Control Officer
    Captain David J. Melhop, Navigator
    Captain Mark A. Quam, Electronic Warfare Officer
    Master Sergeant Roy Duncan, Loadmaster
    Technical Sergeant Robert L. Daniel, Sensor Operator
    Staff Sergeant Mark E. Moser, Aerial Gunner
    Staff Sergeant Brian P. Barnes, Aerial Gunner
    Staff Sergeant William C. Eyler, Sensor Operator

Operation Gothic Serpent

Task Force Ranger

In Memory
CW3 Donovan Briley
SSG Daniel Busch
CPL James Cavaco
SSG William Cleveland
SSG Thomas Field
SFC Earl Fillmore
CW4 Raymond Frank
MSG Gary Gordon**
SGT Cornell Houston
SGT James Joyce
PFC Richard Kowalewski
PFC James Martin
MSG Timothy Martin
SPC Dominick Pilla
SFC Matthew Rierson
SGT Lorenzo Ruiz
SFC Randy Shughart**
CPL James Smith
CW4 Clifton Wolcott

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