CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The 101st Airborne Division honored the nine soldiers killed in last month’s Black Hawk helicopter crash with a private memorial service and a missing soldier formation flyover along the Cumberland River.
The two HH-60 Black Hawks crashed during a training accident on March 29. All nine 101st Airborne Division soldiers on board died in the crash.
The families were honored in services at McGregor Park, then at a large inside event in the F&M Bank Arena.
101st spokesman Lt. Col. Tony Hoefler told Clarksville Now the event was for both the families and for the soldiers of the 101st CAB.
“We do this very time a soldier passes or is killed in training or combat. It’s a way in which we honor their service, honor their legacy and honor their families in a professional way and maintain their legacy into the future.”
In the F&M Bank Arena, speakers honored the fallen and spoke of their impact. “On 29 March, in my darkest hour, I landed to find my soldiers – and my friends – were gone,” said Lt. Col. Tyler Espinoza.
Local services scheduled so far include those for:
- Warrant Officer 1 Jeffery Barnes, 33, formerly of Milton, Florida. A celebration of life service with full military honors will be held 11 a.m. Monday, April 17, at First Baptist Church, Clarksville.
- Sgt. Emilie Marie Eve Bolanos, 23, originally from the Philippines. A celebration of life service will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 18, at Mosaic Church. Full military honors will follow at Kentucky Veterans Cemetery West. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. on Monday, April 17, at McReynolds-Nave & Larson Funeral Home.
- Staff Sgt. Taylor J. Mitchell, 30, originally from Mountain Brook, Alabama. A celebration of life service with full military honors will be held at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, April 18, at First Baptist Church, Clarksville.
The other soldiers who died in the crash were:
- Chief Warrant Officer 3 Zachary Esparza, 36, of Jackson, Missouri.
- Sgt. Isaacjohn Gayo, 27, of Los Angeles, California.
- Staff Sgt. Joshua C. Gore, 25, of Morehead City, North Carolina.
- Chief Warrant Officer 2 Aaron Healy, 32, of Cape Coral, Florida.
- Chief Warrant Officer 2 Rusten Smith, 32, of Rolla, Missouri.
- Sgt. David Solinas Jr., 23, of Oradell, New Jersey.
Video by Jordan Renfro/Clarksville Now with contributions from Robert Faison and Sgt. Kaden Pitts/US Army 101st Airborne Division PAO. Lee Erwin contributed to this report.
