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John Daley Reporting They put their lives on the line every day. Today, their fellow service members remembered them and their sacrifice at a memorial service at Hill Air Force Base.
It was a solemn and moving service today to honor three servicemen, three airmen who were killed in Iraq.
Col. Harry Briesmaster III, Civil Engineer Group Commander: "You gotta have nerves of steel, gotta have a good attitude and you got to be extremely smart."
The service was in hanger 37. Honored today were Technical Sergeant Timothy Weiner, Senior Airman Elizabeth Loncki, and Senior Airman Daniel Miller.
The three were killed January 7th in a car bomb in Bagdad. They had one of the toughest jobs in all of the U.S. military. They were on the Explosive Ordinance Disposal team, responsible for disarming and exploding some of the many roadside bombs.
Each was remembered as a loving family member and great patriot.
Col. Harry Briesmaster III: "This is a career field where you know that you live on the edge everyday. Their motto is ‘Mission Success or Total Failure.'"
Maj. Richard Roberts: "This is a team hill and we're one big family so the loss of these airmen do reach out to all corners of the installation and the community. These people were well-known."
Master Sgt. Michael Frech, Friend of Tech. Sgt. Timothy Weiner: "I have never seen a man work so hard to balance family and service, and I've never seen it done better."
Sr. Airman Danielle Ruiz, Friend of Sr. Airman Elizabeth Loncki: "Some of the best things I loved about Liz were her strong and bold personality. If you knew Liz you know what I'm talking about. If she had something to say she said it, and if something needed to be done she'd do it."
Sr. Airman Mark Shaw, Friend of Sr. Airman Daniel Miller: "You will never be forgotten, and kept close to our hearts. You are our family Dan, and will be loved forever. [Cries]"
"The family remembers with pride the honorable sacrifice that each of them made so that all of us might live for freedom that was bought with their lives of dedication."
It was a standing-room-only crowd here in hanger 37 and many tears were shed with the reading of the final roll call and three final shots where they explode ordinance in honor of the three people killed.
They were in Iraq for a four-month tour and were scheduled to return home in just two weeks. EOD team members are trained to help keep U.S. troops and coalition forces safe from roadside bombs or improvised explosive devices.
Senior Airman Elizabeth Loncki, 23 years old, is the first female EOD technician for the Air Force killed in action since the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. Based at Hill since spring of 2004. Her boyfriend, Sgt. Jayson Johnson, also stationed at Hill, had planned to visit the family this week and ask Loncki's father for permission to marry her. Instead, he'll serve as a military escort for her body as it is transported to Dover Air Force Base.
Senior Airman Daniel Miller, 24 years old, his family in Illinois says Daniel loved to live dangerously, that's why he joined the Air Force. Miller was based at HAFB less than a year. His girlfriend described him as a very funny, and caring individual who loved life.
Technical Sergeant Timothy Wiener, 35 years old, had been at Hill since the fall of 2005. He is the youngest of four brothers who joined the military. He leaves behind a wife and teenage son. His brother says Wiener was married to his high school sweetheart for 18 years.
These were the first active-duty airmen killed in Iraq from the base and they are taking it hard. They say they are a family here, Team Hill, and this meant a lot to all who were here today.
