Wright-Patt community honors fallen firefighters

  • Published
  • By Lauren Deer
  • 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio – The 88th Air Base Wing’s  Fire Station No. 1 held a memorial service Nov. 21 in honor of the firefighters who lost their lives serving our community.

Captain Steven McKee from Fire Station No. 1 welcomed attendees and introduced speakers.

Maj. Tyler Johnson, commander, 788th Civil Engineer Squadron acknowledged firefighters who served and lost their lives, which included:  Frank A. Smith who died in 1932 while fighting a fire in a motorpool facility; Dale V. Kelchner and William J. Collins who both lost their lives fighting the fire that burned down Air Force Logistic Command (building 262-A, now 266) in 1961, and Harold “Sparky” Sparks who died of a heart attack after fighting a fire in 2009.

“Today is about honoring those who leave their homes and families to serve us as a community. These men committed their lives to a profession of service. They looked danger in the eye and they ran into the flames. Today we remember their courage and sacrifice,” Johnson said.

According to a report of the Building 262-A fire on Nov. 21, 1961, firefighters responded to a call at 11:50 p.m. and later called for assistance from Airmen and firefighters from surrounding communities. Firemen managed to stop the fire from spreading but a backdraft caused the fire in the building to worsen, trapping rescuers inside. Firefighters Kelchner and Collins were found in the following days.

Fire Chief Jacob King addressed the audience and acknowledged the family members of those who served.

“Since 1917, we have protected this community and dedicated our lives to the mission. We will continue to carry on this mission every day and will continue to remember our past and embrace our future. My sincere thanks to those who have served and my condolences to the family members who have lost a loved one,” King said.

Col. Thomas Sherman, 88 ABW commander, spoke to the importance of the men and women who serve and protect the public and shared his ties to firefighting in his own family.

“I grew up in a family of firefighters--my father has served as a firefighter for many years in California and today, I want to reflect on those who have served the Wright-Patt Fire Department and have lost their lives in the line of duty.”