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Senior Airman Joshua-Daniel James Austin died June 23 of injuries he sustained in a motorcycle accident the previous day. (U.S. Air Force photo illustration)
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Base holds memorial service for fallen Airman
Posted 7/7/2012
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by Valerie Mullett
341st Missile Wing Public Affairs Office
7/7/2012 - MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. (AFNS) -- Family, friends, coworkers and leaders came together at the Malmstrom Air Force Base Chapel on July 2 to honor the memory of and pay tribute to a fallen Airman.
Senior Airman Joshua-Daniel James Austin died June 23 of injuries he sustained in a motorcycle accident the previous day.
Austin was assigned to the 341st Civil Engineer Squadron as a heating, ventilation, air conditioning-refrigeration technician. The Sommerville, Tenn., native entered active duty Jan. 27, 2004, and arrived at Malmstrom AFB on Aug. 21, 2009.
Chaplain (Capt.) Keith Manry started the service by reminding everyone why they had come.
"As we grieve, may this time of remembrance be filled not only with bitter tears of sorrow, but also with sweet tears of gratitude for the life that Josh lived," he said.
Following the invocation by Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Clyde Dyson and singing of the hymn "When the Roll is Called Up Yonder," base leaders formally presented the Air Force Commendation Medal to Austin's wife, Cosette.
Maj. Daniel Black, Austin's flight chief, then spoke and also delivered a message from the 341st CES commander, Lt. Col. Sarah Christ, who is currently deployed.
"At the age of 18 years old, (he) joined the Air Force and, in so doing, he demonstrated his choice to live a life in service to others and a life in service to his nation," Black said. "Over the course of more than eight years, he carried this spirit with him always."
Christ reflected on Austin's character, stating that in talking to him, anyone could pick up that he valued and respected a person's character, regardless of their rank. She praised his dedication to duty and for being a wingman with integrity.
"We have lost an exceptional Airman and a truly wonderful person," she said.
After acknowledging the family in attendance, Col. H. B. Brual, the 341st Missile Wing commander, spoke on behalf of the entire wing, quoting American writer, scholar and philosopher Thomas Cahill in saying, "A journey is best measured in friends, rather than in miles."
"I think if you were to look around, you would agree that Senior Airman Josh Austin had a wonderful journey," Brual said. "Josh's journey was rich with many friends and a loving family."
Three of Austin's closest Air Force comrades then reflected on their friend, all with a common theme echoed in their memories of him: his love of life, his dedication to those in his life who he cared about the most, and his loyalty.
Manry then delivered the closing remarks.
"When life comes crashing down around us and there's no logical reason for the horrific events we experience, we can be robbed of our desire to fight," he said. "We need a person in our lives to cry out to us, 'Get up, don't quit, get off the ground, get back in the fight.' Friends of Joshua Austin, may I suggest to you today that his memory can do exactly that."
Master Sgt. William Baccus, Austin's first sergeant, then sounded the final roll call before the playing of "Taps."
Austin is survived by his wife, Cosette, and sons Jonah, 4, and Jacob, 2. He also leaves behind his mother, Tammy, stepfather, Pat, and younger brother, Caleb. |
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