To Remember 3 from 775th Civil Engineer Squadron

When I was active duty USAF, I was a First Sergeant assigned to the 775^th Civil Engineer Squadron at Hill AFB in Utah. The Explosive Ordinance Disposal flight was assigned to the squadron. The three personnel on my Memorial Bracelet lost their lives as a result of a roadside bomb in Iraq. These young military members were bright, intelligent and had their whole lives ahead of them. I left the 775^th for another squadron after being their First Sergeant for almost 1.5 years and shortly afterwards was notified of their deaths. As much as it could hit home, it hit home. I remember their departure and how Elizabeth Locke was smiling and simply looking forward to “another” TDY completely unaware she would never make it home. The EOD flight is a family like I’ve never seen before and remembering the memorial service for these three put a dent in my heart. The war they fight and the danger they voluntarily put themselves in is an example of selflessness and a genuine desire to keep America free from terrorism.

These three followed the directions of their commander and chief, no matter what their personal opinions were and died doing so. I will never forget these three and the impact their deaths had on so many people.

Jeffrey