06/27/2016
"Today marks the 20th Anniversary of the Khobar Towers terrorist bombing in Saudi Arabia. My husband, Sgt. Dee “Soup” Campbell was one of 19 airmen killed in that very cowardly attack. Yesterday, I attended a Khobar Towers 20th Anniversary and Memorial Service at Eglin AFB. My husband’s former squadron commander, put it best in his remarks, when he said, 'Twenty years, in some respects, seems like an eternity, but there are times when it seems like 20 days because our memory of that night is still so clear. The sting of loss fades somewhat over time, but the memories of our fallen heroes and their sacrifice remains vivid.' Yes, that is exactly what it seems and feels like--whether we were a family member who received a knock on the door or a survivor of Khobar Towers who will forever remember events of that tragic night. One thing has remained since that night, and that is the tremendous bond everyone who was affected by Khobar Towers still has with one another. Many of my husband’s fellow comrades returned to Eglin AFB for the memorial service and to pay tribute to their fallen brothers and share the memories of not only a painful night, but memories of the times they all had with one another. Many I hadn’t seen in nearly 20 years. One friend brought pictures—one being the last picture of Dee ever taken. All I could think was how much Dee would have loved to be there with all of them, but then the more I thought about it, he was there. He was there, because there was so much love around us. How could he have not been there?
My heart misses Dee more than anyone can imagine and what I wouldn’t give to have him back, but the best I can do to honor him is to live my life. Acts of cowardice claimed his life, but with acts of courage I have claimed mine.
Please help me remember the love and celebrate the lives of our 19 fallen airmen on this 20th anniversary."
Captain Christopher Adams
Captain Leland Haun
Master Sergeant Michael G. Heiser
Master Sergeant Kendall K. Kitson
Technical Sergeant Daniel B. Cafourek
Technical Sergeant Patrick P. Fennig
Technical Sergeant Thanh V. Nguyen
Staff Sergeant Ronald King
Staff Sergeant Kevin Johnson
Sergeant Millard D. Campbell
Senior Airman Earl R. Cartrette Jr
Senior Airman Jeremy A. Taylor
Airman 1st Class Christopher Lester
Airman 1st Class Brent E. Marthaler
Airman 1st Class Brian W. McVeigh
Airman 1st Class Peter W. Morgera
Airman 1st Class Joseph E. Rimkus
Airman 1st Class Justin Wood
Airman 1st Class Joshua E. Woody
