Airmen remembered as heroes - KOTA Territory News

Hundreds of people gathered in Charlotte, North Carolina Tuesday to remember the four fallen Air National Guardsmen that died fighting the White Draw fire at Edgemont.

The private ceremony was held at the 145th Airlift Wing in west Charlotte. Ceremonies were held both inside the unit's hangar and outside, where a flyover and a 21-gun salute paid tribute to the men.

Lt. Col. Paul K. Mikeal; Maj. Joseph McCormick; Maj. Ryan S. David, and Senior Master Sgt. Robert S. Cannon, all died July 1 when their C-130 crashed while fighting the wildfire. Two crewmen were injured.

In the service, there were prayers for the men and their families. Then their fellow servicemen and friends spoke in honor of each man, talking about their life, legacy and love for their families and their country.

State officials also attended the service, including Gov. Bev Perdue, who called the men heroes and said they would be missed by their families, friends and neighbors.

"These proud, proud airmen all knew -- they really did know and understand as did their families -- the risk and reward. Time after time after time, they strapped themselves in that seat for their next mission to protect people they didn't know or would never know in places far from our homes," she said.

--Story courtesy of WSOC TV and The Associated Press