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April 27, 2017
Belvoir honors fallen Soldier By Adrienne Anderson Staff writer A memorial ceremony was held Friday for 22-year-old Spc. Jeremy Tomlin, a Soldier from C Company (CONAIR), 12th Aviation Battalion, who died April 17, when the UH-60 Black Hawk he was in crashed in Leonardtown, Md. “He loved his role as a crew chief … and he loved the Army,” said Lt. Col. Edward Meyers, commander of the 12th Aviation Battalion. Meyers was grateful to have served with Tomlin and detailed his most recent flight with the crew chief. “I’m grateful that I was able to have a few hours of time with him,” he said, adding it was a great day to just fly and enjoy their time together. Meyers described Tomlin as a well-respected colleague, quiet professional, cherished son, devoted husband and loyal friend to all who knew him. Tomlin was considered a humble person and great mechanic and a “great source of morale for “Charlie” company, as well as the (unit) as a whole,” said Spc. Dakota Jarrell. “I thank the God above to be able to meet someone so whole-hearted,” Jarrell said. Tomlin and his family will always be part of the CONAIR family and the entire Army family, he said. Sgt. Nicholas Rossi called Tomlin his best friend and brother-in-arms, someone with an infectious laugh and the quickest of wits. “Each of us is so much better with him having been in our lives,” Rossi said. Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Todd Wolf talked about the meaningful moments Tomlin shared with his wife, Jessica, and those he worked with. Tomlin valued his family and his military career, both of which he considered to be the best things to ever happen to him. “It’s healthy to reflect on the fun and the meaningful times,” he said, adding that positive reflection was a coping mechanism to get through the grief. “Some may experience many negative emotions, such as being bitter or having survivor’s guilt about what they could have done to prevent Tomlin’s death.” But, embracing all the emotions experienced through the grieving
Photos by Paul Lara
12th Aviation held a memorial Friday in Belvoir Chapel for Spc. Jeremy Tomlin, 22, who was killed in a helicopter accident April 17. Tomlin was killed while participating in a training flight near Leonardtown, Md. process in a constructive manner was an important part of the healing process, he said. During this time, Wolf encouraged everyone to explore the deep pains they feel and to look out for one another. Those affected by Tomlin’s death may never be the same, but must remember to honor his life and what he represented, he said. “Jeremy’s death is horribly tragic. Some things we can’t explain as hu-
mans,” Wolf said. “But, we must remember the importance of allowing ourselves to go through grief.” Tomlin was a native of Chapel Hill, Tenn. He married his high school sweetheart, Jessica, and joined the Army as a UH-60 helicopter repairer in 2012. He completed Basic Combat Training at Fort Benning, Ga.; and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Eustis, Va., where he earned the Aircrew Member
Badge for the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter. He also served in Germany and conducted multiple NATO missions. He returned to the U.S. in 2015, when he was assigned to C Company (CONAIR), 12th Aviation Battalion, Davison Army Airfield at Fort Belvoir, where he served as a UH-60L helicopter crew chief. The cause of the crash is still under investigation.