The Blaine County Journal News-Opinion - We've Got The County Covered

The Airmen Memorial Committee continues to move forward with their plans of a Commemoration honoring the 13 Airmen who lost their lives tragically on November 30, 1992. Two C-141B Starlifter Cargo Planes collided just 9 miles north of Harlem. The airmen were stationed at McChord Air Force Base in Washington and were on a low-level refueling exercise. The tragic event was covered nationally, and the country mourned the lives of those Airmen killed while serving their country. The response from the residents of Harlem and the surrounding communities were memorable, efficient and remarkable by what they were able to put together to show their support for the Airmen and their families. The events that took place on that fateful night have left a lasting impression on the family and friends of those Airmen and in the minds of many involved with response the night of the crash.

More than 800 people attended the memorial dedication on Memorial Day in 1993 and it is hopeful that the 30 year Anniversary will include many families and friends, Military personnel and first responders. "The Airmen Memorial committee met on September 12 with about a dozen people in attendance, instead of the normal four., So that was nice to see, "said Airmen Memorial Chairmen Darwin Zellmer. "We are very pleased to have more people at the meeting as it only added to the planning process. We are looking forward to having a very special 30th Anniversary Commemoration. The intent of course is to pay our respects and honor the airmen who lost their lives, but it is also a way to show appreciation to the people of Montana that stepped up immediately and in the days weeks and years since to ensure the memorial is displayed to visitors as best as possible and were available to help in any way to ensure the project's success."

Zellmer has been instrumental in getting the commemoration plans underway, "We had 17 members in the beginning, and we were down to eight recently, all original members," said Zellmer. "Having more people on board now to help with planning the commemoration and we will have more information regarding the commemoration after our next meeting, October 3 at my house at 7:00 p.m. The details on the day of the commemoration, what will take place specifically are yet to be worked out, but the process of getting the Memorial cleaned up and in tip top shape is well underway.

"Ronnie Hopkins, one of our committee members, is reaching out to some of our local schools to maybe do some polishing work on the plaques located on each stone. We are still trying to get someone lined up to resurface, clean up the edges around each stone and we have spoken to some local individuals about completing the project for us, but like anything it's hard for people to find time with winter right around the corner.

If anyone is interested in helping out, we would surely appreciate it," said Zellmer. "Dusty Schwenke with Black Hoop Enterprises is currently working on replacing the walk bridge at the Memorial."

Black Hoop Enterprises is locally owned by operated by Julie and Dusty Shwenke and

Continued on Page A2:

Airmen Memorial

and they were more than happy to take on the project, "Darwin wondered if I wanted to replace the walk bridge at the memorial, it's all handicapped accessible, with rails, all up to code and I was happy to do it," said Dusty. Black Hoops Enterprises specializes in all metal fabrication and builds everything from bale feeders, panels and portable loading chutes to alley ways, crowding tubs and other specialty custom designed products but this is their first bridge project, "The idea for it goes back to the curved cattle guards we build. We have two CNC Cutting Tables that run off computers so we can do precision cutting with that."

"The entire bridge will be in Air Force colors, each panel on one side is 40" and there are 13 of them. The names, rank and information on each Airmen is cut into them and has a yellow backing to make them really stand out," said Schwenke. The panels, base and walkways are Air Force blue, and the bridge is 22' long and 4' wide. "We really wanted to make it as nice as we could be for the people that are coming, the families, friends and everyone that comes back for the commemoration"

With the commemoration day rapidly approaching the committee is focused on the task at hand, "Currently we are in process of reaching out to each of the family members and military representation and we would encourage as many local community members as possible to attend the commemoration and show the same support for the victims and their families that Blaine County and the state of Montana did 30 years ago, Commented Zellmer. "It was a very tragic scene for many involved in the recovery process. Firefighters, EMT's, all of the First Responders. Many left their respective posts following the tragedy and others are still dealing with the memory to this day. It's really at the forefront of their minds. I think a good turnout for the commemoration can only help further the healing process and provide a bit more closure for those individuals," concluded Zellmer.