The tragic December 12, 1985 crash of a plane carrying 248 members of STRIKE Force home from the Sinai to Fort Campbell forever strengthened the bond between the military post and its civilian neighbors and that remains evident with the annual memorial service held each year at Hopkinsville’s Gander Memorial Park.
The Christian County Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee hosts the event and again welcomed family members and friends of the fallen who make their way to the park each year to honor their loved one.
Chaplain Andy Hikro remembered the willingness to serve of those soldiers and prayed for those left behind.
Lt. Col. Todd Haralson, who also gave the keynote address at the service on post, noted many of those soldiers lost called places like Hopkinsville and Christian County home.
The ceremony included the playing of taps and the ceremonial laying of a cactus at the memorial site that continues to remind us of the great loss that came on a cold December morning 37 years ago.
Listen to entire program below:
