M26

Hero Flight Mission # 26
August 23 – 25, 2012
Passengers:   Heather, Nyah, Garrett and Ava Gray; USAF 1st Lieutenant Neil Pfau – Family Liaison Officer; and Pastor Michael Fernihough and his wife, Mandy
Purpose:  Attend Burial Services for Major Walter (David) Gray at Arlington National Cemetery
Route:  Colorado Springs, CO to Manassas, VA to Colorado Springs, CO
Pilots: Howard Turek and Mike Weimert
VES Staff:  Alicia Camp
Purpose:
We received a request to fly the widow of a fallen serviceman, Air Force Major Walter (David) Gray, age 38, from a memorial service at Fort Carson, CO to the burial services at Arlington National Cemetery.  Major Gray is survived by his wife, Heather and three small children.  We had never flown such a mission but were privileged to be asked and readily accepted.  Major Gray was killed in action on August 8, 2012, along with Army Major Thomas E. Kennedy and Army Sgt. Major Kevin Griffin, when they were blown up by a suicide bomber while getting out of their vehicle to attend a meeting with Provincial officials in Sarkowi, Afghanistan.

This was a very emotional mission for us.  Heather Gray, a widow at 32 years of age, was the epitome of holding it together and caring for others during this ordeal.  The kids were wonderful, bright, smart, well-mannered and articulate.  David was a soldiers’ soldier, as well as a wonderful husband and a loving father.  They were a beautiful family.

Arlington National Cemetery officials said that David’s funeral was one of the largest they have had in recent years.  He was truly loved and respected by everyone he came in contact with.

We will never forget these heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.