Iceman Team dedicates facility to lost comrade

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Gloria Wilson
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  In 2006 the family, friends and extended military family of explosive ordinance disposal Master Sgt. Brad Clemmons gathered to mourn his death and celebrate his life in a memorial service here. Exactly two years after his life was tragically cut short on Aug. 21, people gathered again for Sergeant Clemmons, this time for an EOD facility dedication ceremony honoring the man many describe as a hero.

Master Sgt. David Teague, master of ceremony and 354th Civil Engineer Squadron EOD superintendant, formally introduced Eielson leadership and distinguished guests to include Sergeant Clemmons' wife Rebecca, daughters, Isabelle and Gabrielle, sons, Nicholas and Zachary, and father, David, during the ceremony held outside the EOD building. As he said the families' names his voice sounded hoarse and cracked, as if choking back tears.

In addition to the building dedication, the EOD squadron created a memorial that stands in the new facility, a silent testament to one Airman's ultimate sacrifice. But before the memorial was unveiled, Brig. Gen, Mark Graper, 354th Fighter Wing commander, commented on the reason why everyone was there.

"We gather here on this beautiful morning to honor bravery, to salute dedication and sacrifice to memorialize the uncommon valor of Master Sergeant Brad Clemmons and in so doing to celebrate his service to our nation," said General Graper. "We are here to dedicate the EOD building to an American Airman."

General Graper added that while he personally didn't have the privilege of serving with Sergeant Clemmons he had the honor of learning about his contributions and sacrifice through his military service record, what the general referred to as his "written history." Within that selfless-filled history was the fact that Sergeant Clemmons had volunteered for a yearlong deployment to Iraq as a member of a weapons intelligence team. It was during that deployment his vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device.

But although the accomplishments and acts read by General Graper were many, he said that there was more to Sergeant Clemmons than what was in his service record.

"Master Sergeant Clemmons also has an unwritten history - scribed in the memories of his family, friends, close teammates and comrades," said the general. "And that forms perhaps the most eloquent history of all."

Everyone was later invited inside to see the new facility and the memorial in tribute of both the written and unwritten history of Sergeant Clemmons.

As Sergeant Clemmons' family viewed the memorial for the first time, 4-year-old Isabelle ran her fingers over the white letters etched on black marble honoring the father she lost when she was only two. One of the phrases on it, John 15:13, reads, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."

After the viewing of the memorial, the building was open for touring and the cutting of cake as family and friends celebrated the sacrifice and duty of Sergeant Clemmons.

Rebecca Clemmons said she has been shown love and support from the Eielson team and thanks them for what they have done. She plans on bringing her children back in about six years; her youngest Gabrielle is only 15 months old.

Both Nicholas and Zachary said they liked the memorial and the building. "Our dad did what he loved; he served his country," said Nicholas.

David Clemmons said he was impressed by what everyone thought of his son and that he thought the memorial was beautiful. He said he hoped the memorial would be beneficial to the EOD Airmen that pass through the doors of the building--a sentiment similar to what was expressed by General Graper when he said that generations of Airmen who work and train in the facility will remember Brad's sacrifice and that all Eielson Airmen will draw commitment and strength from his example of service before self and sacrifice.

"It's important to remember his sacrifice and when we're long gone, this will help people remember," said Sergeant Teague. "This will always be the Brad Clemmons facility."