The weather was appropriately somber as members of the Armed Scout Helicopter Project Office gathered outdoors Aug. 30 to commemorate fallen OH-58D Kiowa Warrior aviators. The ceremony was held near the base of the OH-58D static display in a grassy area near the project office headquarters.
Following a brief opening prayer offered by a chaplain and remarks from project manager Col. Robert Grigsby, the roll call containing the names of all fallen OH-58D
aviators was announced.
Fifty-seven names were called. Eleven had been added in just the past year or so since the previous ceremony. A plaque near the base of the Kiowa display listed all of them in the order of the date on which they died.
Whether the aviators were lost to training accidents, accidents while in theater or to hostile actions, the plaque didn't indicate.
"It's important that we remember that this is not just a machine," Grigsby said, noting the aircraft on a pedestal behind him and emphasizing the importance of the ceremony. "There's someone flying the aircraft and going into harm's way and there's a cost associated with that."
The commemorative plaque, he explained, was added for just that reason. Those who drove by or walked past the OH-58D display on a daily basis would have the chance to be reminded that what they do is integral to the overall effort.
"Everything that somebody does," Grigsby explained, "whether it's pushing a piece of paper or pushing a part out to the war fighter, somewhere in that chain, they're making a difference. It gives all of us an incentive to do our jobs even better. In the long run, it's for the war fighter. It's to give them the capability to do what they do and hopefully come back home."
The 11 names added in the past year to the memorial include Chief Warrant Officer 2 Bradley J. Gaudet, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Terry L. Varnadore II, 1st Lt. Thomas J. Williams Jr., Chief Warrant Officer 3 Kenneth R. White, Chief Warrant Officer 4 Daniel Cole, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Frank A. Buoniconti III, Capt. Anne M. Montgomery, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Shan J. Satterfield, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Lucas D. Sigfrid, Capt. Scott P. Pace and 1st Lt. Matthew G. Fazzari.
Held at the conclusion of the ASH PMO Users Conference, the ceremony gave representatives from various air cavalry units stationed around the country a chance to participate as well.
"I think it was a fitting end to the conference to remind everybody of what these guys are going out and doing every day," Grigsby said.
The OH-58D, according to the ASH PMO, has the highest operation tempo of any airframe in the Army fleet in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
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