DoD Identifies Air Force Casualty

[johca]

DoD Identifies Air Force Casualty (http://www.defenselink.mil/Releases/Release.aspx?ReleaseID=9845)

"The Department of Defense announced today the death of an airman who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Senior Airman Adam P. Servais, 23, of Onalaska, Wis., died Aug. 19, when his vehicle came under hostile fire in Uruzgan province. He was assigned to the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.

Media with questions related to this release should contact Air Force Special Operations Command Public Affairs at (850) 884-5515."
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RIP

[PJ1]

Thoughts are with the family...

[SATCOM]

Blue skies young warrior....

[Dutch8654]

RIP Airman

[0699]

RIP Warrior.

[Rotor Strike please]

Was this guy a Controller?

[Hawkeye]

Rest In Peace

[BAYONET-14]

RIP

[SN]

RIP bro
Blue skies and soft landings.

[tactical_airman]

RIP
Blue Skies

[Poppadelta]

Blue Skies Brother..

wind calm, cleared to land..

[KJ]

Was this guy a Controller?
Yes, he was. Blue skies.

[MS275]

You'll be missed bro. See you on the other side.

MS

[DCH]

RIP SrA.

[JOE-BOO]

Blue skies, Adam.

The 23rd STS has taken it on the chin over the last year. Keep your head up guys. The fight is just.

[Fire-Gunner]

Blue skies.

[ECHO6GOLF]

Rest In Peace.

[Cormerius]

RIP and good speed soldier

[tova]

RIP, Godspeed & PBS....

[oceanromer]

Rest in Peace, Blue Skies

[KJ]

The young CCT troop that was recently KIA in Afghanistan is
being recognized at a Memorial Service in Freedom Hanger by the
Squadron complex on Hurlbert AFB at 0900 Hrs on Friday August 25th.
All in the business are invited to attend.

[swamppirate]

RIP... Thank you warrior for your sacrifice........May our thoughts go out to the family for their loss........

[Q-TIP]

RIP

[oceanromer]

This is a copy of an email I received. With The names, addresses, rank and phone numbers removed. I would like to share it you all.- Oceanroner -

Thought you would want to know:

About 40 folks from Hurlburt, including Major General Wurster (AFSOC
Vice Commander, Col Brozenick (Wing Commander), Col Stratton, Col
Rodriguez, Col Sherman and Col Wright, plus team mates and friends of
Adam flew via a 3 week old C-130 (Brand New) to Wisconsin early Saturday
morning.

We arrived early and drove by bus to the church. Onalaska is a small
town, something you would see in a Norman Rockwell painting. I noticed
immediately that Adam Servais' name was a lot of advertisement boards,
scrolling electrical signs and anything else that would be used for the
public to see. We then began looking at other aspects of the small
town, every American flag we seen was at half staff. We later found out
that the Governor of the state mandated that the entire state will fly
ol' glory at half staff in honor of Adam on that day.

Arriving at the church at 9am, we had plenty of time to pay our respects
to Adam, looking at pictures of his boy hood, high school, family and
military chapters. His closed casket was draped with the American flag,
surrounded by beautiful flowers from all over the town and nation, to
including from AST. (To who ever did the effort to make sure we sent
flowers, thank you) Next to Adam was his parents, giving hugs and
greetings to the team that traveled from Florida for the service. They
were very grateful and asked to pass on their thank yous to all the
Special Tactics members who could not attend.

We all sat together for the service, up front, taking up about six pews.
The Priest started the mass of by looking at us and announcing to the
congregation: "We have heroes in the Lord's House!" With that the
congregation stood up and gave us a standing ovation. Not a muscle
moved from us, but the tears could not be stopped. A very touching mass
was given ,with eulogies from Matt Mueller, and Chris Tallent, a very
emotional, fitting tribute to Adam.

We left the church and started walking the .25 mile to the cemetery.
Nothing could of prepared us for what we seen when we turned the corner
and started walking down Main Street. Lining both sides of Main Street,
for the length of the entire walk, were citizens holding large American
flags. Standing silently, saluting or hands on hearts. The local paper
stated that there were a 1000 people there for Adam, I think they only
counted the flags. We seen old vets with their VA hats on, saluting
while holding a cane with tears rolling down their cheeks. We seen
little kids looking straight ahead, saluting like they had practiced it
all week long. Not one word was spoken. It was the longest walk I ever
experienced.

During the grave side service, the Scott AFB Honor Guard did a great job
with the 21 gun salute, flag folding and the last taps. Imagine the
"1000" people with those 5 X 8 American Flags surrounding us during the
ceremony, like a blanket, it was very comforting. Adam's parents were
presented his Bronze Star with valor and the Purple Heart by Lt Col Ray,
23STS Commander.

I found out later that the Patriot Guard, a group that ensures no
demonstrators interfere with the funeral, was responsible for the huge
American Flags. No demonstrator, if there was one among us, made any
effort to interfere.

After we said good bye to Adam, we had some time to mingle with Adam's
community and his family. We then took the bus back to the airfield to
climb aboard our brand new C-130. The plane would not start. For four
hours the crew tried everything to kick the bird over, to include some
type of dance that I've never seen before. We ended up staying the
night at Volk Field, about an hour from the town. If you have a two
star General and the Wing Commander with you, that bird had to be broke
hard to keep them in Wisconsin over night. I think it was Adam just
wanting to keep his team around a little while longer. We had another
C-130 pick us up the next day, the Wing Commander told the crew to keep
the engines running.

Bottom-line: The town of Onalaska gave Adam a fitting tribute, a Hero's
welcome home.
Thanks for reading my weekend experience. It was something I'll
remember the rest of my life.

Regards,
Joe ********

[SATCOM]

Reading that made me realize that middle-America still appreciates the sacrifices that our military is making. Makes me proud. Makes me misty eyed.

[Poppadelta]

simply awesome..

pd

[swamppirate]

thanks for sharing that.....very touching....

[KJ]

I have read this more than once, and I still get teary eyed and at the same time proud that there are still great Americans in the world.

[CAP MARINE]

RIP