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Guam, Andersen remember fallen B-52 crew with memorial service

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Brian Bahret
  • 36th Wing Public Affairs
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam --  A memorial service will be held July 19 on Andersen in remembrance of Raider 21, the B-52 aircrew that died on Liberation Day 2008 when their aircraft crashed.

The memorial service, which will be held 4 p.m. July 19 at Chapel 1, is a non-denominational ceremony is open to all who have access to the base.

Family members, friends and co-workers of Raider 21 will be among those who will attend the memorial service, according to Capt. Andrew McIntosh, 36th Wing senior Protestant chaplain.

"This service will provide the family members of the victims of Raider 21 an opportunity to continue the healing process and for others an opportunity to show support for the family and close the door on their grieving process they have gone through over this past year," said Captain McIntosh.

Andersen's ceremony is only one of several ceremonies to help with the grieving process and to recognize the fallen Airmen.

Along with Team Andersen, Guam community members will honor the memory of the Raider 21 aircrew with a ceremony at the Governor's Complex at Adelup on July 20. Government of Guam, Chamber of Commerce and Air Force representatives will unveil a monument dedicated to the Airmen.

During the ceremony a four-ship of Air Force F-22 Raptors will perform a missing man flyover. A solitary B-52 Stratofortress will fly over the memorial following the missing man formation.

Due to the site's limited size, the memorial service is by invitation only. However, after the unveiling, the memorial site will be open to the public.

Following the July 21 Liberation Day parade, the families of Raider 21 will be invited to a special ceremony.

"The U.S. Coast Guard has offered the families an opportunity to take a trip to the crash site and lay flowers in remembrance of their loved ones," said Lt. Col. David Hornyak, former 36th Operations Support Squadron commander.

"We appreciate all the support that Guam has shown both the Air Force and the families during this memorial event," said Colonel Horynak.

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