Chief Warrant Officer 2 Randy Billings, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Josh Silverman, Sgt. Chris Bohler, Spc. Terry Gordon, Sgt. 1st Class Omar Forde and Staff Sgt. Jesse Williams were honored Dec. 11 during a candlelight vigil in the 1st Infantry Division's Victory Park at Fort Riley, Kansas. The emotional event brought together families of the fallen, 1st CAB Soldiers and friends of the brigade.
Those gathered held candles and shared stories about the Soldiers who lost their lives when Arrowsmith 35 went down one year ago during the 1st Combat Aviation Brigade's nine-month deployment to southern Afghanistan. The UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter they were in was shot down by enemy forces Dec. 17, 2013, taking the lives of six servicemembers.
Billings, Silverman, Bohler, Gordon and Forde served with the 1st CAB and Williams served with the 2nd Cavalry Regiment out of Vilsek, Germany.
"This crew embodied the qualities that make Army aviators so formidable on the battlefield," said Capt. Andrew Wempe, 2nd General Support Aviation Battalion, 1st Aviation Regiment, 1st CAB, 1st Inf. Div. "Our fallen brothers were experts and professionals as both Soldiers and aviators, and we are better human beings and Soldiers for having served with them."
Wempe was Billings, Silverman, Bohler and Gordon's company commander.
"Sgt. 1st Class Forde had an energetic personality that would light up a room," said Capt. Evan Godderz, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st CAB, 1st Inf. Div. "The light of this charismatic leader, husband and father will continue to shine through the example he left behind for us all."
Godderz was Forde's company commander.
While Williams wasn't a member of the 1st CAB, Soldiers at the vigil spoke highly of him.
"His fellow Soldiers described Williams as a highly motivated Soldier who lived life with great passion and loved his job as an electronic warfare specialist," said Capt. Andres Pazmin, 3rd Assault Helicopter Battalion, 1st Aviation Regiment, 1st CAB, 1st Inf. Div. "The way he lived was an inspiration that provided many valuable lessons on how to live life to the fullest."
Chap. (Capt.) Matthew Whitehead, 3rd AHB, 1st Avn. Regt., 1st CAB, 1st Inf. Div., ended the vigil by asking those in attendance to continue to remember their brothers in arms.
"As we mark this tragic anniversary, tell their stories and share the memories," Whitehead said. "For as much we keep their memory alive, their lights still shine and bring warmth to our souls."
As the ceremony ended, Soldiers gathered around the memorial stones with the names of their fallen comrades, placed candles on each and left them to burn.
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