Base Defense Airmen memorialize fallen veteran

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Daniel Snider
  • 23d Wing Public Affairs

Heads hang and tears fall while bagpipes play at a memorial service where those who’ve fallen in valor were honored, to include one Airman whose loss hit heavy on many of Moody’s warrior’s hearts.

The NYPD memorial service honored three detectives who had fallen in the line of duty, one of which was Tech. Sgt. Joseph Lemm, who in 2015, was one of six U.S. troops killed by a suicide bomber while conducting overseas missions with the 820th Base Defense Group in Afghanistan.

While 105th BDS is an Air National Guard squadron, they train closely and often deploy with the 820th Base Defense Group. Due to the high-stress training and deployments, the lines begin to blur and these Airmen become close-knit families.

“I remember like it was yesterday, it was like losing family members,” said Tech. Sgt. Joe Ostrum, 820th Combat Operations Squadron personal parachute program manager. “I got the call early in the morning that six of my really close friends, who I had worked with for the past few months, had been hit.

 

“It hit me really hard with Lemm, because he was my replacement and we had made a bond prior to me leaving. Working with a [tactical security element] you have a very tight family, because you’re going outside the wire with these few personnel.

 

The 820th BDG Airmen take pride in their ability to provide a capable team to defend remote Air Force resources worldwide and in high-risk areas. Conducting this mission, Lemm deployed twice alongside the 820th BDG to Afghanistan and once to Iraq.

 

“I couldn’t be more proud of the profession that Joe chose,” said Christine DeGuisto, Joseph’s widow. “I know Joe would be really proud of all of you here today, honoring him, remembering him, paying tribute to his service and all of the others lost in the line of duty.”

During the memorial, family and guests congregated while all members in service-dress uniforms remained stoic, in formation. Former warrant detectives, family members and the NYPD commissioner gave remarks.

 

“The memorial services help with the pain and allow us to honor our fallen unit member with a respectful ceremony,” said Senior Master Sgt. Shawn Knowlton, who attended the memorial and is the liaison between the 820th BDG and 105th BDS.

 

Lemm and the other police officers honored had their name added to a memorial wall inside the Fugitive Enforcement Division of the 84 Precinct station house, Brooklyn NY., where they served their city.

 

“It was truly an honor to stand in formation alongside more than 100 NYPD members in service dress and with my Air Force comrades from the 820 BDG and 105 BDS,” said Knowlton. “Everyone reminisced the times they had with the fallen,” said Knowlton. “I reflected on my last memory of Joe, hanging out with him at a café adjacent to Stewart Air National Guard Base during a farewell function prior to deployment.”

 

More than 250 Airmen have deployed with the 820th BDG since the partnership began in 2009. Currently, five former 820th BDG members are serving in the 105th BDS.

 

“We have spent a long of time together and look forward to many more years of working together,” said Knowlton.

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