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Airmen, Soldiers honor fallen comrade

  • Published
  • By Capt. Toni Tones
  • 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan --  Airmen and Soldiers from Bagram honored an Airman, warrior and leader who paid the ultimate sacrifice for his country during a memorial ceremony here May 1.

Senior Airman Jonathan A.V. Yelner, a convoy driver assigned to the Kapisa and Parwan Provincial Reconstruction Team, died April 29, 2008, near Tag Ab, Kapisa Province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.

Airman Yelner, a B-1B weapons load crew member assigned to the 28th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., volunteered to deploy and serve as a Humvee driver for the Army as part of a PRT whose missions are security, reconstruction and governance for the government and people of Afghanistan.

"A young, but mature man who understood that freedom is not free, and wanted to make a difference however he could...a warrior who understood the risks inherent in the ground combat environment, yet raised his hand volunteering to serve in that crucible," said Lt. Col. Bill Andersen, Kapisa and Parwan PRT commander.

"His mother and father relayed to me that Jonathan was 'thrilled to be with you guys' and considered it an honor to be a member of the Provincial Reconstruction Team. Let me tell you the honor was mine and the PRT's to have Jonathan on this team...his contributions were many, varied and made a difference," added Colonel Andersen.

Army 1st Sgt. Felipe Richards remembered meeting Airman Yelner for the first time when the team came together for training earlier this year at Fort Bragg, N.C.

"He was a young, smart, vibrant and full-of-life person who brought a smile to my face. He once asked me what I would take away from this experience since I have deployed several times," added Sergeant Richards. "I told him it was simple 'changing lives' and he said, like 'making a difference'. So that became our motto 'Making a difference beyond the Berm.' You [Jonathan] can be truly proud of the difference you made and we will continue the mission."

Army Capt. Casey McCausland, Kapisa South Civil Affairs Team leader echoed those comments.

"Yelner strongly believed in what were doing down at FOB Kutschbach, and he loved going out on missions and making a difference," said Captain McCausland. "Yelner never thought twice about going out...we even gave him the opportunity to not go on some missions, but he would look at us like we were crazy and insist that he was going. Yelner was a warrior and will be greatly missed by many."