Members of ARPC honor fallen heroes

  • Published
  • By Cindy Dewey
  • ARPC Public Affairs
BUCKLEY AFB, Colo. --  Last Saturday, in recognition of Memorial Day, seven members of the Air Reserve Personnel Center participated in the 13th Annual Veterans Memorial Day Tribute honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice in protecting our great nation.

Family and friends of Colorado's fallen, hundreds of military and civilian volunteers, many Colorado Representatives and Congressman Mike Coffman gathered in Lincoln Park across from the state capitol to pay tribute to them and the part they played in maintaining our freedom.

Founded in May 2000, the Veterans Memorial Day Tribute remembers those who sacrificed their lives for our freedom and bestow honor on these heroes and the family members they left behind. This tribute is non-profit and is coordinated by an all volunteer committee.
The guest speaker for the event was Col. Pat Blassie, ARPC, Commander. She spoke on the importance behind the story of every lost hero on our Nation's history. Blassie reflected on her family's experience following the death of her brother, 1st Lt. Michael Blassie, who was killed in 1972 during the Vietnam War. Her family was informed that he had been killed in action and his remains were not recovered. Twenty-six years later, the family was notified that her brother's remains were interred in the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery. Blassie stressed that "each hero has a story," and she continues to share the story of her hero - her brother.

The first year a family attends the Tribute, they are presented with a banner embroidered with their hero's name. Each consecutive year, the family receives a gold commemorative pin to be attached to the banner. Each gift serves as a remembrance of their hero's bravery.
In conjunction with the ceremony, The Forgotten Heroes Campaign presented medals to Army Air Corps Sgt. Lloyd Tokheim and Army PFC Robert Lagerstrom both from WWII; Army Sgt. Miron "Red" Stephens, Korean War; and Capt. Tou Ge Xiong, Vietnam War, Special Guerrilla Unit, Region 2, Laos. These are medals they earned while serving but never received.

Needless to say, an event such as this makes for a very solemn and emotional day. When asked why he volunteered to participate, Technical Sgt. Justin Jump, DPT, stated "It is very humbling and I take great pride in providing the show of lasting respect for fallen service members. As a sibling of those who serve in sister services, I am proud to offer the heartfelt respect that I provide all fallen comrades." Senior Master Sgt. Donna Edwards, DPX, ARPC Tribute participant, " I volunteer for many reasons, among them is to lead and set the example for younger Airmen; to show them it is all of our responsibility to give of oneself, to let the families know we're there for them, and it's the right thing to do. "

The Veterans Memorial Day Tribute is held each year on the Saturday before Memorial Day which is a fitting tribute to those we have lost. So mark your calendars now and remember to volunteer to help in the 2013 Tribute. It is events such as this that makes everyone realize how short life can be and to make the most of every day. It reminds us all the cost of freedom isn't cheap and should never be taken for granted.