Warren Airmen mourn loss of son, husband, father, friend

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Chad Thompson
  • 90th Space Wing Public Affairs
F. E. Warren AFB, Wyo. --  A memorial service honoring a Warren Airman who died supporting the Global War on Terrorism took place at the High Plains Chapel Nov. 21.

Tech. Sgt. Alejandro "Alex" Ayala, 90th Logistics Readiness Squadron, died near the Iraq-Kuwait border in a non-hostile vehicle accident Nov. 18.

Sergeant Ayala, 26, of Riverside, Calif., died from his injuries in the car accident.

Sergeant Ayala's family and about 100 Airman attended the ceremony.

A memorial consisting of a helmet, dog tags, M-4 rifle and combat boots stood at the front of the chapel, and beside it was a large portrait of Sergeant Ayala in his Airman Battle Uniform, smiling.

"Alex was one of the warmest people I have met in my career," said Tech. Sgt. Suzanne Barto, 90th Logistics Readiness Squadron. "His love for the Air Force was evident for his commitment to his work and his Airmen. He was a person that cared deeply for those around him and about the United States Air Force."

Col. Mike Morgan, 90th Space Wing commander, promoted Sergeant Ayala to the rank of technical sergeant and awarded him three medals posthumously at the ceremony: a Meritorious Service Medal, an Air Force Commendation Medal and a Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal.

Colonel Morgan said service and sacrifice are the words that describe what Airmen do. It defines those that wear the Air Force uniform. Service and sacrifice are the words he used to describe Sergeant Ayala's service to his country.

"On a day where [Sergeant Ayala] should have been off, he was doing his duty, he was doing his job, he was serving his country," Colonel Morgan said. "And through no fault of his own, in a tragic accident, he lived up to service and sacrifice. Service -- not just service -- the full measure of service. Not just sacrifice but the ultimate sacrifice. Alex made the ultimate sacrifice for the defense of our country."

"The sacrifice was not his alone. Alex's family lost a loved one, and we all lost a fellow Airman. We are so sorry for the family's loss, and we are so proud of Alex and the service he gave us."

This was Sergeant Ayala's first tour in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom since arriving to Warren in December 2006.

The Warren Honor Guard performed a flag folding ceremony, and a bugler played "Taps" to end the ceremony.