Volunteers honor fallen AFA heroes

Hundreds of people volunteered Friday to honor fallen heroes at the Air Force Academy.

Event organizers were pleasantly surprised at how many people volunteered their time to place flags throughout the Academy Cemetery.

“It was raining until just a few minutes ago and lots of reasons why people didn’t have to show up, but they came because they wanted to honor the people who are buried here,” said retired Maj. Gen. Jack Catton. “My mom and dad are buried here, so they asked if I wanted to place the flag on my parents’ grave, and of course I wanted to do that.”

Michael Brothers and Cindy Brothers brought their three children to the event. Both have close ties to the Academy and wanted to share the meaning of Memorial Day with their children.

“We know some people who were buried here and who gave their life in service of the country,” Cindy Brothers said. “It’s a personal connection for the family and something they’ll think about for years forward that it’s not just a great day to have a barbecue.”

Some of the most famous airmen in Air Force history are buried in the cemetery. Lt. Gen. Hubert Harmon, the Academy’s first superintendent, was the first to be interred on Sept. 28, 1958.

Other notable individuals buried there include Carl Spaatz and Curtis LeMay y, former Air Force chiefs of staff generals; triple ace and former Commandant of Cadets Brig. Gen. Robin Olds; Medal of Honor recipient Master Sgt. William Crawford, U.S. Army; and 1st Lt. Roslyn Schulte, Academy Class of 2006, who was the first female graduate to be killed in combat.

Altogether, 1,476 people are buried in the cemetery.