A memorial ceremony was held in Clarksville Thursday afternoon, in honor of the lives, loves and memory of those nine soldiers who were killed when two Blackhawk helicopters crashed in Trigg County on March 29.
It took place at the F&M Bank Arena, which was filled to the brim with family members, loved ones, soldiers and more, as they took the time to remember those nine and the impacts they had, as members of an aerial medical evacuation team that often go where the fighting is at its most dangerous to serve and aid their fellow soldiers.
Maj. General JP McGee says the 101st Airborne Division and Fort Campbell are still reeling from the tragedy, but he knows they will heal and come out strong on the other side.
Commander of the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade Colonel Cody Clint says the communities around Fort Campbell have come to support them tremendously, and they cannot thank them enough.
Lt. Colonel Tyler Espinoza says he knew each of the nine soldiers personally, and each one of them had a life and a story that shaped those around them.
He called them heroes, saying they were passionate and driven to help and save their comrades, no matter the danger to themselves.
There was a flyover formation before the ceremony, an aerial salute to fallen soldiers. A video tribute was played, taking time highlight and bid farewell to each soldier—their names are 33-year-old Warrant Officer Jeffery Barnes, 23-year old Sergeant Emilie Marie Eve Bolanos, 36-year-old Chief Warrant Officer 3 Zachary Esparza, 27-year-old Sgt. Isaac John Gayo 25-year-old Staff Sgt. Joshua Caleb Gore, 32-year-old Warrant Officer 1 Aaron Healy, 30-year-old Staff Sgt. Taylor Mitchell, 32-year-old Chief Warrant Officer Rusten Smith and 23-year-old Sgt. David Solinas Jr.
