Robins Air Force Base holds 47th annual Airman’s Memorial Service

WARNER ROBINS – Leading up to Memorial Day, Robins Air Force Base held their 47th annual Airmen’s Memorial service on Tuesday, May 21. 

Chaplin Charles White of the 78 Air Base Wing (ABW) shared his welcoming remarks. 

“On behalf of our hosts for today’s ceremony, the Installation 78 Air Base Wing Commander, Colonel Deedrick Reese, I am honored to welcome you to the 47th annual Robins Air Force Base Memorial Ceremony,” he said. 

After the presentation of the colors and the singing of the National Anthem, Chaplin, Lt. Col. Christopher Reeder of the 78 ABW gave the invocation.

“Good and gracious God, we gather here to remember our fallen,” he said. “The names we will read shortly represent lives who are gifts to parents, siblings, children, this country, our military, and Robins Air Force Base.” 

The Robins Airman Memorial was established in 1976, a combined effort from the Middle Georgia Camellia Society, Warner Robins Chamber of Commerce, and Robins Air Force Base officials. 

“This memorial service honors the memory of Team Robins service members and civilian employees who died while actively serving or were previously stationed here and have since passed away,” White said. “As we enter into this Memorial Day weekend, not only do we honor the men and women from Team Robins, we also honor all service members who have passed while serving. We remember their sacrifices and their contributions to this great nation.” 

Colonel Deedrick Reese then gave his remarks, giving thanks to the base’s chapel and Museum of Aviation.

“We especially honor the families of the fallen, as your strength and resilience inspires us all,” he said. “I would like to thank all of the volunteers who made this event possible. Your dedication and effort ensure that we can continue to pay tribute to those who have given so much for our country.” 

Commander of the 461st Air Control Wing Colonel Adam Shelton was the guest speaker and gave his remarks at the memorial ceremony. 

“Thank you for the opportunity and for the humble environment we are in right now and thank you for your presence,” he said. “Thank you for taking the opportunity to commemorate the individuals we will make special note of in today’s event.” 

Shelton said during his military service, they heard comments such as “brothers and sisters in arms.”

“It’s important because those discriminators identify us as family,” he said. “So whether we are apart of that bloodline of the family of those individuals that we are going to remember today or you’re part of the service family, that family bond is important and the fact that we remember each of these individuals have touched someone, all of us and everyone that is here in attendance today.” 

Shelton then acknowledged that it is okay to mourn. He pointed out that the Quran in the Muslim faith says that grief and understanding of loss is okay as long as you don’t question the decisions of the creator. Shelton also mentioned in the Christian and Jewish faiths, the Book of Ecclesiastes says everything has a time and place. 

“The opportunity for us is to take solace in that and understand that this period is necessary for our development and in our increased resilience as we remember our service members,” he said. “These memories that we are left with are also positive. For as long they’re with us, for as long as we remember them and honor their sacrifice, they are never really that far gone.” 

Chaplin Major Jamie Myers of the 78 ABW and Irwin Rutherford of the Military and Family Life Counseling Program read the names of the honorees. Senior Master Sergeant Brianna McNab of the 51 Combat Communications Squadron rang the bell as the names were called. 

The honorees listed below:   

Mr. Ronald Joseph Alheit  

Mr. Harvey “Tim” Timothy Amos

Mr. Jeffery Alan Arnold

MSgt. Brian Baldwin 

MSgt. (Ret.) Ruben Brawner 

Lt. Col. James Brown 

Lt. Col. Donald M. Camp Jr.

MSgt. (Ret.) Oren O’neal Corbin Jr. 

Ms. Kathy Lynn Fairfield 

SrA. Zachary T. Fitzharris 

CMSgt. (Ret.) Carzell Graham Sr. 

Ms. Connie Jo Hudson 

Mr. Charles “Mike” Joiner

Ms. Norma Kusuda

Sgt. Billy Fred Lanfair Sr. 

SrA. Noah Michael Leyman 

Mr. Brannon C. McClammy

SMSgt. (Ret.) Charles L. Messer

Mr. Terry Eugene Owens 

Mr. Himal Patel 

SMSgt. (Ret.) Andre D. Prince

Mr. Phillip Marion Ramsey 

SMSgt. Randi Ross

Ms. Dana Rozelle 

SrA. Terry E. Sams Jr. 

Sgt. David Lee Shepherd 

Mr. Ward Allen Stephens 

MSgt. Isaac Stevens Jr. 

Commander (Ret.) George Duke Thigpen 

Mr. Christopher Tucker

Ms. Dana Wainwright 

Mr. William “Stan” Stanley Wall