More than 500 family, friends and fellow Airmen attended memorial and graveside services for retired Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James C. Binnicker Aug. 14 at Memorial Chapel at the Fort Myer portion of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall and Section 57 of Arlington National Cemetery.
"If you've met Chief Binnicker, you've met an icon -- a hero, a legend," said Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody at the Memorial Chapel service.
Binnicker, a 33-year Air Force veteran, passed away March 21 in Calhoun, Ga. He was the Air Force's ninth top senior enlisted leader, serving in the role of chief master sergeant of the Air Force from 1986 to 1990.
As Binnicker's flag-draped casket lay in front of family and friends, a hushed silence fell over a visibly somber crowd as Cody reflected on Binnicker's impact on today's Air Force.
"If you've met Chief Binnicker, you're a better Airman today for it, for those moments, or that moment you spent together," Cody said. "If you've met Chief Binnicker, you're better prepared to lead because of the truth and wisdom he likely shared, even when the truth hurt a little."
Binnicker was born in Orangeburg, S.C., on July 23, 1938. He, like many others, was drawn to the possibility of one day becoming a pilot, but high-frequency hearing loss in his right ear prevented him from flying. It didn't stop him from a chasing his dream, however. He enlisted in the Air Force in 1957 and spent most of his early career on the flight line.
Originally in the personal equipment career field, Binnicker cross-trained into air operations. While deployed to Vietnam, he planned flights for missions with the 22nd Tactical Air Support Squadron.
After Vietnam and before serving as the ninth chief master sergeant of the Air Force, Binnicker spent time as the senior enlisted adviser for the 12th Air Force, Headquarters Pacific Air Forces and Headquarters Tactical Command. He also represented the Air Force as senior enlisted adviser on the President's Commission on Military Compensation.
"Taking care of our Air Force family is not a one-time deal, it's a forever deal; those are Chief Binnicker's words, not mine," said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III. "He believed them, he shared them, and most importantly he lived every day by them. He dedicated all he had to our service and he continued his life's work as a wingman, leader and warrior."
As the morning dew still clung to the grass, a caisson trailed by a long line of Airmen, family and friends followed Binnicker to his final resting place in Arlington National Cemetery.
After a three-rifle volley, the playing of Taps, and a B-52 Stratofortress flyover, Cody once again spoke. This time he did so on bended knee with a folded flag in both hands and his words were reserved only for Binnicker's wife, Janice.
The ninth chief master sergeant of the Air Force now rests in the shadows of the Air Force Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery.
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