Ninth AF breaks ground on Fallen Airman's memorial

Published June 2, 2008
By Master Sgt. Theresa Shannon
9th Air Force Public Affairs

Shaw AFB, S.C. -- With golden shovels the 9th Air Force and U.S. Air Forces Central leadership broke ground for the 9th AF and U.S. AFCENT Airman's Memorial during a ceremony at 9 a.m. May 30 on the 9th AF headquarters parade grounds.

Lt. Gen. Gary North, 9th AF and U.S. AFCENT commander and Chief Master Sgt. Scott Dearduff, 9th AF and U.S. AFCENT command chief ceremonially began construction of the memorial honoring those 9th AF members who have served and sacrificed since the inception of 9th AF, June 28, 1942.

"Today we break ground of this tribute to our Airmen who have given all in the line of duty and served in and throughout the reaches of service," said General North to Sumter community members and military members attending the ceremony.

"This memorial will help us remember our 9th Air Force and U.S. AFCENT Airmen who have served before us with valor, courage and commitment," said General North. "It is our responsibility, our honor and our requirement to remember their service and sacrifice."

The idea for the memorial is to ensure we never forget the service and sacrifice of the Airmen who have served on many fronts, in many conflicts, and far away from home and family.

After working on a memorial in southern Iraq in 2004, and then creating a Fallen Airman Memorial at Balad Air Base, Iraq, in 2007, it seemed only natural to continue honoring those who have made the ultimate sacrifice by creating a lasting memorial at Shaw Air Force Base for all 9th AF and U.S. AFCENT Airmen, said Chief Dearduff.

"Now comes the hard part; we have to build it, raise the money through private funds to meet our goal of dedicating the memorial one year from today and invite the family members of those the memorial is dedicated to," Chief Dearduff added.

All the units at Shaw came together with hard work and great attitudes to demonstrate their dedication to this idea and make it a reality, added the chief.

"It is our life's passion to memorialize those who served and sacrificed, and take care of their families by building this memorial," said Chief Dearduff.

The honor guard laid the first ceremonial brick pavers that will form the foundation of the memorial. The ceremony closed with the honor guard posting a vigil to stand until retreat to represent the planning committee's solemn gratitude for all the 9th AF Airmen who have served and who are serving today.

"By standing vigil we show that their sacrifices are significant to our Air Force and have shaped who we are today," said Tech. Sgt. Randall Stewart, ceremony narrator and 372nd Training Squadron instructor, closing the ceremony.

"We are humbled by their sacrifice. It is fitting that we should have tribute to them and all that they stand for, because of their integrity, excellence and above all, their service before self, we can enjoy the liberties we do," said General North. "Our nation owes them an enormous debt of gratitude, and we humbly attempt to pay such debts with memorials like the one that will be built on this very spot."