Note: There was a previous diary about Chief Warrant Officer Humphreys earlier today which can be found here. Since the IGTNT team was not made aware of the previous tribute until it had already been published, Humphreys will also be remembered in this diary.
The Daily News Journal has more information about the crash:
The U.S. military said the OH-58 Kiowa Warrior helicopter went down at about 6:10 p.m. Saturday in the eastern part of the city. The military also said that "the incident appears to be combat-unrelated and there was no enemy contact in the area."
...
Army spokesman Lt. Col. Jonathan Allen told the Anchorage Daily News that Clark and Humphreys were the only two on board the helicopter and no one else was killed or injured. The Army did not say which of the two pilots was flying when the crash occurred.
Chief Warrant Officer Donald V. Clark
That was his life. He loved it next to his family. He just glowed when he talked about flying", says Linda Clark, Donnie's mother.
And while he ultimately lost his life in the skies over Iraq, Donnie's family says they can take comfort in the fact he died doing what he loved and what he believed in.
"That regardless of the reasons that took them over there that they were there at the right time. That they were making a difference and they were where they needed to be," says Donnie's sister Deana Bode.
"He had an unshakable dedication to the United States of America. He had an unshakable dedication to his family," says Donald.
Besides his parents and sister, Donnie leaves behind his wife Jamie and four kids, a family that played a major role in this soldier's life. (source)
Legacy.com has a guest book for Chief Warrant Officer Clark.
One person who knew him wrote:
Don, you were a great friend. I will be praying for your family and friends as they deal with the loss of a good man. I wish I had had more time to spend with you. I had a great time getting to know you in Kuwait and Mosul. You made the last month there fun and memorable. You are missed.
another wrote:
My husband and Don were stationed together at Fort Polk and at Fort Rucker. While I didn't know Don that well, the times I had run into him made a lasting impression. My husband is currently deployed and told me how it hurt to hear this news. Don will be missed greatly by his friends, his fellow soldiers and all of the Kiowa community.
His sister-in-law left this touching message:
Don was a wonderful brother in law to me and an even better husband and father to my sister and their children. He will be greatly missed in our family but I know he's looking down over all of us.
Chief Warrant Officer Christian P. Humphreys
Today would have been Chief Warrant Officer Humphreys's fourth wedding anniversary.
On a chilly November day in 2004, Humphreys exchanged vows with Christina Williams atop Eagle Rock at the Grimes Point Archaeological Site just east of Fallon.
"It was a cold day ... the poor bride was shivering," recalled former Fallon Justice of the Peace Dan Ward, who officiated the ceremony. "They had the families up there and the (search and rescue) guys. They really wanted to do it up there. They were up there for about an hour and a half before they decided they'd had enough. He was quite a character."
(source)
"He was a great guy, always happy and had a joke," said Sean Whitney, a flight medic, told the Lahontan Valley News on Tuesday. He said Humphreys lived in a rented house on the northwest side of Fallon.
"We used to play with our paintball guns in the cornfields behind his house," Whitney said.
...
Petty Officer Second Class Justin Schmidt knew Humphreys during the entire time he was assigned to the Longhorns.
"He was a funny guy, a nice guy, a lot of character," Schmidt said. "Some of the guys here still remember him." The guy was always entertaining, always had something to say, but like everyone here, he displayed the professionalism in saving lives."
"This is one guy who loved to fly. He wanted to fly in the front seat," Schmidt said."
from the Fort Mill Times
Legacy.com has a guest book for Chief Warrant Officer Humphreys.
One person who knew him wrote:
We have lost a true hero; loyal, brave and kind. Always quick with a smile, a joke and a helping hand. You will be missed greatly, my friend. Peace be with you.
another wrote:
I served with Chris for two years while he was a crew chief with the Search and Rescue Team aboard Naval Air Station Fallon, NV. He was always a pleasure to fly and work with. It seemed like he was never in a bad mood and could always be counted on during the most demanding missions. America has lost one of her best. Christina, I am so sorry to hear about this. You are in the thoughts and prayers of the entire Longhorn Team.
His wife left this beautiful message:
Rest in a better place my dear. You are the love of my life, my missing piece, my best friend, and my hero. I love you more than words can say. The world will never be completely at peace knowing you are gone. Save a spot for me and keep it warm, I'll see you when it's meant to be.
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What You Can Do
There are a number of wonderful organizations out there which could use your help:
* Anysoldier.com
* Operation Helmet
* Fisher House
* Books for Soldiers
* Operation Ensuring Christmas
(big thanks to timroff for the beautiful logo)
About "I Got the News Today" (IGTNT)
I Got the News Today is a diary series intended to honor, respect and remind.; its title is a reminder that almost every day a military family gets the terrible news about a loved one. Diaries about the fallen usually appear two days after their names are officially released, which allows time for the IGTNT team to find and tell their stories.
Click here to see the series, which was begun by i dunno, and which is maintained by Sandy on Signal, monkeybiz, noweasels, MsWings, greenies, blue jersey mom, Chacounne, twilight falling, moneysmith, labwitchy, joyful, roses, SisTwo, SpamNunn, JeNoCo, mediaprof, Pager and me, a girl in MI. These diaries are heartbreaking to write, but, we believe, an important service to those Americans who have died, and to our community’s respect for and remembrance of them.
If you are interested in volunteering for the series please contact me, a girl in MI, at a_girl_in_mi_101 AT yahoo DOT com
Please bear in mind that these diaries are read by friends and family of the service members chronicled here. We treat these diaries as a place to remember and reflect. May all of our remembrances be full of compassion rather than politics.
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