Three ship flyover to start the memorial ceremony

Family members, including those of recently honored aerial fire fighters and more than a thousand airmen of Charlotte's 145th Airlift Wing, North Carolina Air National Guard attend an annual memorial ceremony as a way to remember all airmen who had died in the year prior, whether a current or past member. Following a flyover of three C-130 Hercules, the aircraft used by the wing to accomplish its missions, the names are pronounced of any Air Guard member who has deceased over the last twelve months to a bagpipe rendition of "Amazing Grace," the formation of airmen at attention for a twenty-one gun salute, then a bugler performing "Taps," and the laying of a wreath in honor and remembrance of those who have passed. (National Guard photo by Senior Airman Laura Montgomery, 145th Public Affairs)

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Three ship flyover to start the memorial ceremony

Family members, including those of recently honored aerial fire fighters and more than a thousand airmen of Charlotte's 145th Airlift Wing, North Carolina Air National Guard attend an annual memorial ceremony as a way to remember all airmen who have died in the year prior, whether a current or past member. Following a flyover of three C-130 Hercules, the aircraft used by the wing to accomplish its missions, the names are pronounced of any Air Guard member who has deceased over the last twelve months to a bagpipe rendition of "Amazing Grace," the formation of airmen at attention for a twenty-one gun salute, then a bugler performing "Taps," and the laying of a wreath in honor and remembrance of those who have passed. (National Guard photos by Tech Sgt. Rich Kerner, 145th Public Affairs)

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Chaplain Yow gives words of encouragement to family members during the annual memorial ceremony.

Family members, including those of recently honored aerial fire fighters and more than a thousand airmen of Charlotte's 145th Airlift Wing, North Carolina Air National Guard attend an annual memorial ceremony as a way to remember all airmen who have died in the year prior, whether a current or past member. Following a flyover of three C-130 Hercules, the aircraft used by the wing to accomplish its missions, the names are pronounced of any Air Guard member who has deceased over the last twelve months to a bagpipe rendition of "Amazing Grace," the formation of airmen at attention for a twenty-one gun salute, then a bugler performing "Taps," and the laying of a wreath in honor and remembrance of those who have passed. (National Guard photos by Tech Sgt. Rich Kerner, 145th Public Affairs)

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Airmen during the annual memorial ceremony.

Family members, including those of recently honored aerial fire fighters and more than a thousand airmen of Charlotte's 145th Airlift Wing, North Carolina Air National Guard attend an annual memorial ceremony as a way to remember all airmen who have died in the year prior, whether a current or past member. Following a flyover of three C-130 Hercules, the aircraft used by the wing to accomplish its missions, the names are pronounced of any Air Guard member who has deceased over the last twelve months to a bagpipe rendition of "Amazing Grace," the formation of airmen at attention for a twenty-one gun salute, then a bugler performing "Taps," and the laying of a wreath in honor and remembrance of those who have passed. (National Guard photos by Tech Sgt. Rich Kerner, 145th Public Affairs)

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Bagpiper played "Amazing Grace" during the annual memorial service.

Family members, including those of recently honored aerial fire fighters and more than a thousand airmen of Charlotte's 145th Airlift Wing, North Carolina Air National Guard attend an annual memorial ceremony as a way to remember all airmen who have died in the year prior, whether a current or past member. Following a flyover of three C-130 Hercules, the aircraft used by the wing to accomplish its missions, the names are pronounced of any Air Guard member who has deceased over the last twelve months to a bagpipe rendition of "Amazing Grace," the formation of airmen at attention for a twenty-one gun salute, then a bugler performing "Taps," and the laying of a wreath in honor and remembrance of those who have passed. (National Guard photos by Tech Sgt. Rich Kerner, 145th Public Affairs)

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The Order of the Purple Heart pay tribute to our fallen airmen.

Family members, including those of recently honored aerial fire fighters and more than a thousand airmen of Charlotte's 145th Airlift Wing, North Carolina Air National Guard attend an annual memorial ceremony as a way to remember all airmen who have died in the year prior, whether a current or past member. Following a flyover of three C-130 Hercules, the aircraft used by the wing to accomplish its missions, the names are pronounced of any Air Guard member who has deceased over the last twelve months to a bagpipe rendition of "Amazing Grace," the formation of airmen at attention for a twenty-one gun salute, then a bugler performing "Taps," and the laying of a wreath in honor and remembrance of those who have passed. (National Guard photos by Tech Sgt. Rich Kerner, 145th Public Affairs)

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Gen Lusk assist a young family members with the scratching of an etching of his dad on the memorial wall.

Family members, including those of recently honored aerial fire fighters and more than a thousand airmen of Charlotte's 145th Airlift Wing, North Carolina Air National Guard attend an annual memorial ceremony as a way to remember all airmen who have died in the year prior, whether a current or past member. Following a flyover of three C-130 Hercules, the aircraft used by the wing to accomplish its missions, the names are pronounced of any Air Guard member who has deceased over the last twelve months to a bagpipe rendition of "Amazing Grace," the formation of airmen at attention for a twenty-one gun salute, then a bugler performing "Taps," and the laying of a wreath in honor and remembrance of those who have passed. (National Guard photos by Tech Sgt. Rich Kerner, 145th Public Affairs)

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Staff Sgt Quick assist a young family member with a scratched etching of her dad's name from the memorial monument.

Family members, including those of recently honored aerial fire fighters and more than a thousand airmen of Charlotte's 145th Airlift Wing, North Carolina Air National Guard attend an annual memorial ceremony as a way to remember all airmen who have died in the year prior, whether a current or past member. Following a flyover of three C-130 Hercules, the aircraft used by the wing to accomplish its missions, the names are pronounced of any Air Guard member who has deceased over the last twelve months to a bagpipe rendition of "Amazing Grace," the formation of airmen at attention for a twenty-one gun salute, then a bugler performing "Taps," and the laying of a wreath in honor and remembrance of those who have passed. (National Guard photos by Tech Sgt. Rich Kerner, 145th Public Affairs)

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Family members scratching out an etching of her loved one from the memorial wall.

Family members, including those of recently honored aerial fire fighters and more than a thousand airmen of Charlotte's 145th Airlift Wing, North Carolina Air National Guard attend an annual memorial ceremony as a way to remember all airmen who have died in the year prior, whether a current or past member. Following a flyover of three C-130 Hercules, the aircraft used by the wing to accomplish its missions, the names are pronounced of any Air Guard member who has deceased over the last twelve months to a bagpipe rendition of "Amazing Grace," the formation of airmen at attention for a twenty-one gun salute, then a bugler performing "Taps," and the laying of a wreath in honor and remembrance of those who have passed. (National Guard photos by Tech Sgt. Rich Kerner, 145th Public Affairs)

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Airmen during the Annual Memorial Ceremony.

Family members, including those of recently honored aerial fire fighters and more than a thousand airmen of Charlotte's 145th Airlift Wing, North Carolina Air National Guard attend an annual memorial ceremony as a way to remember all airmen who had died in the year prior, whether a current or past member. Following a flyover of three C-130 Hercules, the aircraft used by the wing to accomplish its missions, the names are pronounced of any Air Guard member who has deceased over the last twelve months to a bagpipe rendition of "Amazing Grace," the formation of airmen at attention for a twenty-one gun salute, then a bugler performing "Taps," and the laying of a wreath in honor and remembrance of those who have passed. (National Guard photo by Tech Sgt. Brian Christiansen, 145th Public Affairs)

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Brig. Gen. Kelly Joins ANG Family in Remembrance

Published Oct. 29, 2012
By Master Sgt. Steve Wilkins
145th AW Public Affairs

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Charlotte Air National Guard Base - Family members, including those of recently honored aerial fire fighters with more than a thousand airmen of Charlotte's 145th Airlift Wing stood at stoic attention as Brig. Gen. D. Todd Kelly lay a wreath of remembrance during a solemn ceremony at the base's memorial garden here October 19.

Following a flyover of three C-130 Hercules, the aircraft used by the wing to accomplish its missions, Gen. Kelly said each of the 20 airmen being recognized "served proudly their communities and the state of North Carolina," and he thanked the families for supporting their loved ones throughout their Guard membership.

Gen. Kelly spoke of the annual ceremony's beginning in 1984 as a way to remember all airmen who had died in the year prior, whether current or past member, and how the idea blossomed into a memorial monument that has been nurtured and developed over the years. "The memorial belongs to the North Carolina Air National Guard family," he said.

Then he singled out families whose loved ones were lost in a crash this past July. Harkening the words of Governor Bev Perdue, he told the assembly of the mission the crew was flying to battle wild fires, and of their service in the Guard, he said; "They did it for their families, they did it for me, they did it for you, they did it for this nation."

The ceremony pronounces names of any Air Guard members deceased over the last twelve months to a bagpipe rendition of "Amazing Grace," with Gen. Kelly calling the formation of airmen to attention for a twenty-one gun salute, then a bugler performing "Taps," evoked tears and obvious pain in many attendees from the remembrance of their lost.

In his closing remarks, Chaplain Lt. Col. Sandy Yow encouraged family members to rely on their faith in God for a restoration of peace in their lives.

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Three ship flyover to start the memorial ceremony

Three ship flyover to start the memorial ceremony

Chaplain Yow gives words of encouragement to family members during the annual memorial ceremony.

Airmen during the annual memorial ceremony.

Bagpiper played "Amazing Grace" during the annual memorial service.

The Order of the Purple Heart pay tribute to our fallen airmen.

Gen Lusk assist a young family members with the scratching of an etching of his dad on the memorial wall.

Staff Sgt Quick assist a young family member with a scratched etching of her dad's name from the memorial monument.

Family members scratching out an etching of her loved one from the memorial wall.

Airmen during the Annual Memorial Ceremony.