13 fallen ‘Barnestormers’ honored at annual ceremony at Barnes Air National Guard base

Members of the 104th Fighter Wing and their loved ones held a memorial rededication ceremony for the 13 fallen service members killed in the line of duty. (104th Fighter Wing/Facebook)

BARNES AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Mass. (Tribune News Service) — Members of the 104th Fighter Wing and their loved ones held a memorial rededication ceremony Friday for the 13 fallen service members killed in the line of duty.

The annual F-100 ceremony honors the 13 fallen “Barnestormers,” airmen who gave their lives throughout history for state and country.

Col. David “Moon” Halasi-Kun, 104th vice commander, presided over the ceremony, which included a 21-gun salute, placing of a wreath and the naming of the dead.

Attendees included family members of the fallen airmen, Adjutant General of Massachusetts Maj. Gen. Gary Keefe, Commander of the Massachusetts Air National Guard Brig. Gen. Joseph Morrissey, Massachusetts state Sen. John Velis and members of the 104th Fighter Wing.

The F-100 monument was first dedicated on May 17, 1987. Engraved upon the memorial are the names of those who died in service-related events. They are:

• 1st Lt. Edward W. Meacham, Monomoy Point, Aug. 17, 1948

• Maj. Robert Anderstrom, Granby, Connecticut, May 7, 1954

• 1st Lt. Richard Brown, Granville, Oct. 19, 1954

• Tech. Sgt. Austin A. Cooper, Granville, Oct. 19, 1954

• Capt. Frank A. Gibe, Westfield, July 28, 1956

• Maj. Richard W. Mahoney, New Orleans, Louisiana, April 22, 1961

• 1st Lt. Joseph F. Crehore, Chalons, France, March 21, 1962

• Capt. Hugh M. Lavalle, New York state, Nov. 16, 1963

• Capt. John H. Paris, Westfield, July 17, 1964

• Maj. James Romanowicz, Granby, Feb. 1, 1965

• Capt. Leonard E. Bannish, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, May 30, 1968

• Maj. John S. Southrey, Wells, New York, Sept. 17, 1986