It’s been one year to the day when two HH60 Blackhawk helicopters crashed in Trigg County on March 29, 2023, and a memorial service was held Friday to remember the nine who were killed in that crash and pave the way for a new memorial.
Family members of the fallen—33-year-old Warrant Officer Jeffery Barnes of Florida, 23-year old Corporal Emilie Marie Eve Bolanos of Austin, Texas, 36-year-old Chief Warrant Officer Zachary Esparza of Jackson, Missouri, 27-year-old Sgt. Isaacjohn Gayo of California, 25-year-old Staff Sgt. Joshua Caleb Gore of North Carolina, 32-year-old Warrant Officer Aaron Healy of Florida, 30-year-old Staff Sgt. Taylor Mitchell of Alabama, 32-year-old Chief Warrant Officer Rusten Smith of Missouri and 23-year-old Sgt. David Solinas Jr. of New Jersey—were joined by community members, elected officials and more at Vinson Cemetery.
Ground was symbolically broken at the site by Vinson Cemetery, and Trigg County Judge-Executive Stan Humphries says it will one day be home to an individual memorial in the nine’s honor, along with a memorial garden.
Cadiz Methodist Church Pastor Scott Wilson says military families know all too well that freedom has a heavy cost, whether that be on the battlefield or in training for a dangerous profession.
The plot of land where the memorial will be located was gifted by the Vinson Family, and Stephanie Vinson Perry says she knows what the loss of a child feels like, and while nothing will ever fully heal it, she hopes this memorial brings the families some peace.
The crash of the two helicopters happened as part of a night-time training exercise and happened on Maple Grove Road in Trigg County, near Lancaster Road.
The families present all helped turn the first shovel of dirt to get the project started, and they were also presented with gold roses, in memory of their loved ones.