12th Tactical Fighter Wing Association
hosts its annual rededication ceremony
by Charlotte Burrous, Reporter and Editor-in-Chief, Fremont County Crusader, 31 August 2018
It's been a tradition since 2001. This year was no different when one member of the 12th Tactical Fighter Wing Association made the trip from Albuquerque to rededicate the panel of the wall listing its members' names in the Col. Leo S. Boston War Memorial Park at the Fremont County Airport.
"We've organized this informal annual ceremony to honor those who lost their lives while assigned to the U.S. Air Force 12th Tactical Fighter Wing," said member Sherif Lepi.
In 2001, members first arrived to dedicate the 12th's portion of the wall at the Col. Leo S. Boston War Memorial Park in the Fremont County Airport in a formal ceremony and an informal ceremony ever since then.
The first ceremony was scheduled after one of their members saw the F-4 Fighter Wing aircraft on display in the park. At the time, they decided the airport would be a good place to remember members of their own. So they contacted the Fremont County Veterans Service Officer, the Fremont County Commissioners and the War Memorial Park commission to find out if they could have a panel set aside for inscription of the names of all known 12th casualties.
After completing that part, they agreed to set aside Sept. 16, 2001, for the dedication ceremony with Gen. Peter Sutton slated to provide the dedication speech; however, after 911, he sent his written remarks, which were read by one of the association members in attendance then.
"The 12th Tactical Fighter Wing has a long and distinguished history of selfless commitment to defending our great nation, beginning with the wing's activation in 1962. Through the Cuban Missile Crisis and the war in Vietnam, the 12th was home to hundreds of real American heroes --- true patriots who risked their lives to protect freedom and democracy," Sutton wrote. "The memorial you are dedicating today honors those courageous airmen who gave their lives while serving in the 12th Tactical Fighter Wing. To the families of those airmen, thank you for their service and your commitment to preserving their memory and the honorable lineage of the 12th."
This year's group may have been small, but the solemn ceremony, which was topped off with a toast to all those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam, will never be forgotten by its members and should never be forgotten by the American people.
Photo by Charlotte Burrous
Sherif Lepi, of Albuquerque, and David Burrous, pause to remember members of the 12th Tactical Fighter Wing, who lost their lives during the Vietnam War. Since 2001, the 12th Fighter Wing Association has rededicated the panel of the wall at the Fremont County Airport every year.
Photo by Sherif Lepi
