Photo By Senior Airman Briana Beavers | Combat boots and yellow flowers representing those who lost their lives are displayed...... read more read more
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EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. – An explosion, heard from more than 20 miles away, rocked and decimated the walls of the barracks near King Abdulaziz Air Base as frantic screams of terror pour out of the building.
On the night of June 25, 1996, 19 Airmen lost their lives while over 400 U.S. and international military and civilian members were injured during the Khobar Towers attack in Dharan, Saudi Arabia; 12 of the fallen were Nomads.
Today, over 200 attendees from the 33rd Fighter Wing and local community gathered in remembrance of the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice on the 28th anniversary of the Khobar Towers bombing.
This year's memorial included a guest speaker, the traditional wreath-laying, recitation of names, and the playing of “Taps”. The recitation of names was carried out by 19 current Airmen from the 33rd FW who were chosen to stand on behalf of the fallen, deliver the fallen member’s name, and render a salute.
“As we reflect on this tragedy, we are reminded of the incredible acts of courage and camaraderie that emerged from that fateful night,” said Col. Dave Skalicky, 33rd Fighter Wing commander. “Many of our Nomads exemplified selflessness and courage in the face of unimaginable danger. Their actions that night continue to inspire us and serve as a poignant reminder of the personal costs of service.”
Following Skalicky’s remarks, Zach Sutton, a survivor of the attack, senior pastor of Catalyst Church in Panama City, and ceremony guest speaker, spoke of the wounds that remain.
“I was 23 years old when I showed up in 1996 to Khobar Towers,” said Sutton. “I stand here today 28 years later still wounded by this event. Like most of the survivors today I have physical scars, but even more than that I have unseen scars ... almost every survivor you meet today has the same struggles, and to them I say ‘Keep going, don’t let the hard days win’.”
The wing’s emblem, the flaming sword, stands at the center of the memorial, where an inscription reads: "This monument is dedicated to the brave warriors who were killed by a terrorist bomb at Khobar Towers, Saudi Arabia, on June 25, 1996. They made the ultimate sacrifice as guardians of this grateful nation. We shall never forget them."
The names of the fallen are below:
58th Fighter Squadron:
Master Sgt. Kendall K. Kitson, Jr. - Yukon, Oklahoma
Tech. Sgt. Daniel B. Cafourek - Watertown, South Dakota
Staff Sgt. Millard D. Campbell - Angelton, Texas
Senior Airman Earl F. Cartrette, Jr. - Sellersbug, Indiana
Airman 1st Class Brent E. Mathaler - Cambridge, Minnesota
Airman 1st Class Brian W. McVeigh - Debary, Florida
Airman 1st Class Joseph E. Rimkus - Madison, Illinois
Airman 1st Class Joshua E. Woody - Corning, California
60th Fighter Squadron:
Tech. Sgt. Patrick P. Fennig - Greendale, Wisconsin
33rd Logistics Group:
Tech. Sgt. Thanh V. (Gus) Nguyen - Panama City, Florida
33rd Operations Support Squadron:
Airman 1st Class Peter J. Morgera - Stratham, New Hampshire
33rd Maintenance Squadron:
Senior Airman Jeremy A. Taylor - Rosehill, Kansas
Patrick Air Force Base:
Capt. Christopher Adams - Massapaque Park, New York
Capt. Leland Timothy Haun - Fresno County, California
Master Sgt. Michael Heiser - Palm Coast, Florida
Staff Sgt. Kevin Johnson - Shreveport, Louisiana
Airman 1st Class Justin Wood - Modesto, California
Offutt Air Force Base:
Staff Sgt. Ronald King - Battle Creek, Michigan
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base:
Airman 1st Class Christopher Lester - Wyoming County, West Virginia
| Date Taken: | 06.25.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 07.11.2024 16:01 |
| Story ID: | 474826 |
| Location: | EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, FLORIDA, US |
| Web Views: | 22 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, 28th Khobar Towers memorial ceremony: Remembering the fallen, by SrA Briana Beavers, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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