JOINT BASE MCGUIRE DIX LAKEHURST --
Traveling four days through three countries to two separate memorials, a Reserve C-17 Globemaster III aircrew recently upheld the memory of those who gave their lives in service to their country.
Members of the 732nd Airlift Squadron and alumni from the (deactivated) 702nd Airlift Squadron from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., visited the memorial site of 18 Airmen who died when their C-141 Starlifter crashed into a beet field Aug. 28, 1976 in Thorney, United Kingdom.
The Aug. 7 commemoration ceremony marked the second time the Air Force Reserve unit paid homage to their fallen comrades alongside Thorney town members, some of who witnessed the crash and were first responders.
The following day the aircrew repeated their homage in a different field in another country.
On the 70th Anniversary of the Aug. 8, 1944 B-17 Flying Fortress crash, Airmen from the 514th Air Mobility Wing visited Lonlay L'Abbaye, in Northern France to remember the aircrew members who lost their lives when their plane went down in a farmer's field. The plane, known as "Chowhound", was hit by enemy flak during the Allied liberation of Nazi-occupied France during World War II. Councilmen and residents of the small French town welcomed the Reserve Airmen, and together with the American family members of the fallen, paid their respects to the sacrifice made.
With local councilmen, town residents and bandsmen present at both events, the trip demonstrated how tragedy brings people from different countries and backgrounds together for a common human cause.
"It was interesting feeling that you were upset that someone's life was cut short but at the same time proud of what they were doing - local population recognized that too," said Lt. Col. Sam Irvin, 732nd AS commander.
"In both cases, the memorials showed how much the local towns were involved," said Irvin. "It was amazing how both towns took these (fallen) American Airmen in as their own. They took pride in looking after Airmen that were on missions to do well for their own respective countries."
"You don't forget things like this - it sticks in your mind," said Thorney resident Nanette Dawson, "I think about all those people and their families. "My husband and I often come back down this way while out taking walks and just have a few minutes with it (the memorial)."
Dawson recounted how she had been out shopping when the incident occurred. It was a hot day and suddenly black clouds came rolling in and a fierce thunderstorm began. She saw a flame she thought was a bolt of lightening come down that frightened her. The flame turned out to be the tail piece that hit quite a distance behind their house.
According to the aircraft mishap report, the C-141 experienced an in-flight disintegration, which meant the right wing tore away from the aircraft.
In the case of Lonlay L'Abbaye, the common cause was stemming the tide of the Nazi-invasion of the French countryside. The loss of American life on their soil meant a lot to the residents as the downed American crew were present to aid in the war effort.
Rain fell as the mixed crowd of military and civilians paid their respects site to the B-17 crew at the crash.
"The sky is crying," said a local French woman as everyone walked the mile back to the road to their transportation. The common French phrase is often thought of whenever it rains she said, while noting that it is especially poignant when the "sky cries" during commemorations.
The mayor of Lonlay L'Abbaye summed up the significance of the lost lives in his speech given on the steps of the war memorial in the Town Square, located a few miles from the actual crash site.
"France gave the United States the Statue of Liberty, but the United States gave France Liberty."
The mayor reminded all that the liberation of Lonlay took place Aug. 15, 1944 and that the citizens of Lonlay L'Abbaye must remember the young aviators who lost their lives, far from their motherland. The memorial has the aviator's names inscribed on it alongside the names of the local Frenchmen who also gave their lives.
"So now they (Americans) are associated with their French brothers killed in the two world wars," he said.
While this trip was the second time American Airmen were collectively able to pay their respects at both locations, it was the first for most of the current aircrew.
"I didn't want to miss this opportunity," said Senior Master Sgt. Rick Ferraro, 732nd AS, C-17 loadmaster. "This is history and visiting both crash sites continues the history."
For a few, this second journey brought back vivid memories.
"This trip kinda made me sad; it reminds me how much I miss the Air Force - the camaraderie, the mission," said Senior Master Sgt. Doug Stroz, a retired C-141 loadmaster from the 702nd AS who was instrumental in raising funds to erect the monument in Thorney.
He and a delegation of 702nd AS aircrew, along with family members of the crash victims, made the journey to the original dedication ceremony in October 1996.
The idea for the memorial came from Senior Master Sgt. Noel Sinchak, also a retired 702nd loadmaster, who was present at the recent dedication. Six years after the crash, while stationed at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, UK, Sinchak had a desire to find the location where his fellow crewmen lay a rest. It took him over a year to locate the farmer, James Hemmant, who owned the land where the majority of the C-141 pieces landed.
Sinchak reflected on the challenges met and conquered, of erecting the 1 ½ ton stone, and how help came from members of the 100th Civil Engineer Squadron based out of RAF Mildenhall.
In Lonlay L'Abbaye, an American Flag hanging in the midle of the crash site is the sole reminder of that fateful event. Three years prior, another group from the 732nd AS brought back a piece of the wreckage of the bomber which had been donated to the wing's active duty counterparts, the 305th Air Mobility Wing. Plans on how to display the artifact are still underworks.
The trip also gave the Freedom Wing Airmen another opportunity to personally thank the townspeople for their diligence in taking care of the sites. Caretaking is a duty that both sets of townspeople take on wholeheartedly.
John Bartlett, Chairman of Thorney Parish Council and Thorney resident since 1969 told onlookers during his ceremony address that the council will continue to maintain the cemetery commemorating all the American citizens who perished in the crash.
The current crew members will also carry the memory of these events with them and the recent part they played in ensuring no one is forgotten.
"I'm honored and humbled that our squadron was able to participate in two historical events that occurred in the Air Force history and one specifically in our squadron heritage," said Capt. David Rodriguez, 732nd AS, planner and coordinator for the overseas training mission and memorial ceremonies. "These events were moments of remembrance and commemoration for our fallen Airmen. We will strive to preserve their memories and contribution to our Air Force history and heritage."
As the squadron commander today, Irvin said it meant a lot to him to be able to close the loop.
"It's hard to put into words the value of a mission like this," said Irvin. "I'm proud of how everyone conducted themselves during the ceremonies of this is an once-in-a-lifetime experience. What may appear to some as a little thing, goes a long way in building relations."