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Vigil held in memory of Cannon airmen

Hundreds gathered outside the Curry County Courthouse on Monday night. They prayed, sang hymns and lit candles in tribute to three young airmen who died in a training exercise a week ago.

"While it is important for us to take this time to mourn their loss," Col. Ben Maitre told the crowd, "so should we also take the time to celebrate their lives as dedicated service members, sons and men of courage. Because that's exactly what Andy, Kenny and Drew were, and that's what they did - they celebrated life."

First Lt. Frederick "Drew" Dellecker, 26, Capt. Kenneth Dalga, 29, and Capt. Andrew Becker, 33, were killed last Tuesday night when their U-28 aircraft crashed near Clovis Municipal Airport.

Maitre thanked everyone gathered for the support they have shown base officials and airmen in the last week.

"Your continued dedication and support to our airmen underscores the enduring strength of our long-standing relationship," he said. "Ours is a tight-knit wing that are ready to execute specialized air power whenever or wherever is required in defense of our nation ... Any time an incident like this occurs, it hits us hard."

With the courthouse draped in red, white and blue lights, city and county officials addressed the crowd that featured dozens of American flags carried by young and old, many of them in military uniforms.

Curry County Commission Chairman Ben McDaniel captured the sadness.

"To think a week ago, these three impressive young men were living their lives to the fullest," he said. "We have all said this prayer: 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me.?'"

Clovis Mayor David Lansford spoke about families and the price of freedom.

“On an ordinary day, in Clovis, New Mexico, we see aircraft many times flying the skies. We know that the people who fly these planes are training and preparing to carry out the mission of safeguarding and defending our freedom throughout the world," said Lansford.

"Tuesday, March 14, was not an ordinary day. Three devoted and faithful patriots, whose professional ambition in life was to protect and defend their country passed from this life as American heroes. Not only did their lives represent the enduring cause of freedom, (but) they were family to this place we call home."

Tuesday's fatal crash is believed to be the first involving a Cannon Air Force Base plane in the area since 2002.

Cannon officials said the base had not seen a fatal crash involving one of its planes in the region since before 2007, when it opened as a Special Operations wing.

Capt. Benton Zettel, 26, died on Sept. 9, 2002, when his F-16 aircraft crashed about 50 miles west of Cannon during a routine training exercise.

 
 
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