12th Tactical Fighter Wing Returns to Cañon City
By Charlotte Burrous, September 2, 2016
As the participants read the names of those on the 12th Tactical Fighter Wing Memorial Wall, the only other sounds were the wind whipping the overhead flags and the distant sound of vehicles driving past on U.S. 50.
Although this year's 12th Tactical Fighter Wing's reunion was smaller than usual, where only one member, an associate member, and a guest re-dedicated the wall on August 26.
The idea of creating the 12th Tactical Fighter Memorial Wall began in the fall of 1995 when retired Major Ron Doughty and former NCOs Gene Rust and Bobby Sutton began to develop details for a 12th website. Along the way, Major Doughty saw an article in "Smoke Trails" about an F-4C being used at Lowry Air Force Base. The men learned that the airframe had been transferred to Wings of the Rockies aviation museum in Denver and then to Fremont County Airport where the F-4C had become the centerpiece for the Leo S. Boston War Memorial Park.
After completing the plans to proceed, a group of the 12th Tactical Association held an official ceremony, dedicating the site on September 16, 2001. Since then, the members have visited the site every year to re-dedicate the wall to honor their fallen comrades.
This year's group may have been small in number, but it was a solemn ceremony, topped off with a toast to all those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam, one that should never be forgotten.
Photo by Charlotte Burrous
On Aug, 26, Sherif Lepi, 12th Tactical Fighter Wing member, re-dedicates the panel, honoring the members of the 12th Fighter Wing squadrons who lost their lives in Vietnam.
