LAST FLIGHT

This past Quarter, we’ve lost five more of our brethren.

May they fly high with WOODEN BLADES through rain and thunderstorms without fear. We wish you well our BROTHERS.

ISAIAH 6.8 Then I heard the LORD asking,: Whom shall

I send as a messenger to my people? Who will go?”

And I said "Lord, I’ll go! Send Me."

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(FE) MSGt Charles D. Severns

July 24, 1933-Feb. 22, 2007

Charles D. Severns, 73, of Chula Vista died Thursday. He was born in California and was a biomedical technician at Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center. He was retired from the Air Force and was a veteran of the Vietnam War.

Survivors include his wife, Veronica Severns; sons, Kenneth Severns, Keith Severns and Kevin Severns; stepdaughter, Angie Land; stepson, Sean Theriac and Todd Theriac; sister, Marianne Fraticelli; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

DET23 CARC K.I. Sawyer AFB, MI 1960-63

33 ARS Naha AB, OKI 1963-65

(TDY)DET Prov.3 PARC Nakon Phanom RTAFB Jun-Nov 1964

DET6 PARC Kadena AB, OKI 1965-67

DET5 42ARRS Edwards AFB, CA 1969-70

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(P)Colonel Owen “AL” Heeter

Jan. 3, 1936-Feb. 17, 2007

Col. Heeter was born Jan. 3, 1936, in Athens, the son of Darwin and Edythe Clevenger Heeter. During his youth, he was raised in the Akron area and he attended school at Akron for 10 years before graduating from Rochester High School in 1954. Al was a member of the RHS 1953 Indiana State Champion football team. He also was a standout on the 1952-1954 RHS baseball team.

Al was an employee of McMahan Construction Company, during his high school years. While at McMahan's, he served under the wing of his mentor, the late Ed Boswell. Upon graduation from RHS, he attended DePauw University, Greencastle, where he was a member of the graduating class of 1958. While at DePauw, Al lettered in baseball, was an active member of the ROTC and Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity. It was through the ROTC at DePauw that he discovered his love for flying.

On July 13, 1957, in Jackson, Miss., he married Mary Elizabeth Turk. She preceded him in death on Dec. 1, 1996.

Upon his graduation from DePauw, Al entered the United States Air Force. He spent the next 30 years of his life serving our country. During his many years of service, Col. Heeter was stationed in the following locations: Selfridge Air Force Base, Michigan; Richards Gebaur Air Force Base, Missouri; Moron Air Base, Spain; Moody Air Force Base, Georgia; Udorn Air Base, Thailand; Scott Air Force Base, Illinois; Norton Air Force Base, California; Bergstrom Air Force Base, Texas; Howard Air Force Base, Panama; Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico; Eglin Air Force Base, Florida; and Hurlburt Field, Florida.

During his tours of duty, Col. Heeter received many citations including: the Silver Star (the second highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of the armed forces); Legion of Merit (awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievement); Distinguished Flying Cross (awarded to those who distinguish themselves in combat by heroism while in aerial flight); Bronze Star (awarded for bravery); Defense Meritorious Service Medal (awarded for outstanding noncombat meritorious achievement or service); Meritorious Service Medal with Four Oak Leaf Clusters (third highest award bestowed by the military, additional awards are denoted by the Oak Leaf Clusters); Air Medal with Four Oak Leaf Clusters (awarded for distinguished merit while in aerial flight); and the Air Force Commendation Medal (awarded for acts of courage).

Of his many accomplishments, Col. Heeter was a distinguished command helicopter pilot with more than 5,000 career flying hours; many of them were from rescue missions flown over Vietnam. He also served as Deputy Commander of the Panama Canal from 1976 to 1978. Col. Heeter was the first pilot to fly an HH-53 helicopter across the Pacific Ocean, traveling more than 9,000 miles. He served as Air Rescue and Recovery Service Commander from 1983 to 1985.

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(ABR)Alfred Julius Walters Jr.

July 12,1943 – February 27, 2007

ALFRED JULIUS WALTERS, Jr., 63 Blacksmith Welder SPRING HILL, FL. - Alfred Julius Walters, Jr., 63, of Spring Hill, FL; passed away on Tuesday, February 27, 2007 at Hospice-Hernando Care Center in Brooksville, after a long battle with cancer. Mr. Walters was born in Kimball, WV; and moved to this area 4 years ago from Plant City, FL; he was a lifelong retired artistic Blacksmith welder. Mr. Walters was a veteran of the U.S. Air force serving as a HH-43 Airborne Rescueman/Fire Fighter at DET2 AARC Laon, France and he was a longtime member of the Pedro's Posse Fire Fighter Association. He was of the Christian faith. Survivors include his wife Gena Hunt-Walters of Spring Hill, FL; a daughter Beth Walters West and her husband James E. West Jr. of Lakeland, FL; a son Matthew Craig Walters and his wife Francesca Anna of Carlentini, Italy; a step-son, William Anthony Hunt of Spring Hill, FL; 2 grandsons, Nicholas West of Lakeland, FL; Thomas Walters of Carlentini, Italy; 4 granddaughters, Amanda and Sarah West of Lakeland, FL; Valentina Walters of Carlentini, Italy; Haley Hunt of Spring Hill, FL; two brothers Bill Walters and his wife Nancy of Lakeland, FL ; Jim Walters and his wife Hilda of Lakeland, FL; two sisters Judy Gordon and her husband Glen of Lakeland, FL; and Nancy McLeod of Lakeland, FL.

DET2 AARC Laon AB, FRANCE 1964-65

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(P) Colonel James “Jim” R. Murtha

July 1, 1937- March 1, 2007

Colonel James (Jim) R. Murtha, 69, United States Air Force (retired), died March 1, 2007 at his home in Fort Walton Beach, FL following a courageous battle with cancer.

Born July 1, 1937 in New York City to the late James E. and Mabel H. (Smith) Murtha, he moved to Bennington, VT as a young boy. He graduated from Bennington High School in 1955. A winter laboring on the St. Lawrence Sea Way inspired him to return to school and in 1960 he earned an economics degree from St. Michael’s College Burlington, VT and an officer’s commission in the United States Air Force. During his 24 year military career, which included Viet Nam service, he traveled the world; Europe to Asia to Africa. He was a Command Pilot flying sea planes and helicopters for the Air Rescue Service. He was awarded Viet Nam combat decorations and many personal awards. Prior to retirement he served as Chief, Resource Management Division, Directorate of Maintenance, Robins AFB, GA. Though proud of his career, he was most proud of the opportunity to work with so many outstanding military professionals.

Jim continued his service in the local community as the sixth-eighth grade math and history teacher at Saint Mary’s Catholic School. This 12 year period with the children of St. Mary’s was some of the most personally rewarding. He made his classes come alive and be pertinent to the children. The memories of his booming voice, larger than life, physical presence, infectious enthusiasm, sense of humor, as well as trips to battlefields, government offices and camping will live on with his students, dedicated teachers and  staff, priests and parents at St. Mary’s. 

Jim, a resident of Fort Walton Beach since 1970, served as  former Mayor Pro-tem of Ft. Walton Beach and four year member of the Ft. Walton Beach City Council was an ardent participant in many political and civic venues on numerous issues of local and national interest. He was an active member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, American Legion, The Daedalians, and Military Officers Association.

Jim is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Mary F. (Blount) and four children; James C. (Ann) of Milwaukee, WI; Michael P. (Julie) of San Antonio, TX; Christopher J. (Joli) of Atlanta, GA and Maria K. Murtha-Endris (Greg) of Seattle, WA; his brother Robert E. Murtha (Nancy) of Glens Falls, NY.  Survivors also include seven grandchildren and many, many in-laws, nephews, nieces and dear friends, all of whom provided time, love, support and prayers. He was pre-deceased by his parents and his brother, Peter C, of Boston, MA.  

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Col. Max L.Trainer

Nov 28, 1932- March 19, 2007

 (No Picture Available)

Col. Maxie "Max" L. Trainer, USAF, (Ret.) died March 19 peacefully at his home in Shalimar, Florida surrounded by friends and family. He was diagnosed with stomach cancer 48 days before his death.

Max was born in Hot Springs, Virginia on November 28, 1932. Following his family tradition of military service, Max joined the United States Air Force on August 11, 1953. He enjoyed a significant career serving in various pilot and command positions in Air Rescue and Recovery Service, "These things we do that others may live".  His last assignment was PACAF Headquarters, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii. After retiring from the Air Force, Max worked as a realtor at El Matador Condominium Management Company where he made many long, lasting friendships.

He was preceded in death by his grandfather, William Ami Trainer, who served under his beloved General Stonewall Jackson, his father Stonewall Jackson Trainer and his mother Mamie Wade Trainer Terry. His two brothers, also veterans, Bryan A. Trainer (killed in action during the Korean War) and Donald M. Trainer (World War II) and his sister Mary I. Politte also preceded him in death.

He is survived by his wife of thirty years, Lyndia Clements Trainer, daughters Janet Schweitzer of Conroe, Texas, Kimberly and husband Richard Thompson of Houston, Texas, and Erin Trainer of Dallas, Texas; sisters-in-law Celia Trainer of Sacramento, California and Patricia Brown of Allen, Texas. He is also survived by nieces and nephew Laurie Brown of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Jason and wife Sherry Brown of Allen, Texas, and Donna and Steve Harrison of Asheville, North Carolina.

His deepest expression of love is extended to his friends who devoted their time and assistance caring for him during his illness.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to Boys' Home, Inc., 306 Boys' Home Road, Covington, VA 24426 (www.boyshomeinc.com), phone: 540-965-7700. Several of Max's childhood classmates lived there, and the growth and support of the organization was meaningful to him.

Emerald Coast Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements. There will be a graveside memorial service on March 30, 3:00 P.M. at Sunset Cemetery in Valparaiso, Fl.