US military members at Camp Eggers in Afghanistan gathered last weekend to dedicate a building to Air Force MSgt. Randy Gillespie, who died July 9, 2007 from small-arms-fire inflicted wounds. It’s not the first honor paid to Gillespie, a 44-year-old airman deployed from Luke AFB, Ariz., to help mentor soldiers of the Afghan National Army. Earlier two roads, one at Luke and one at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan, were dedicated in his name. At Camp Eggers, Gillespie House, serving as joint service living quarters, will carry a plaque with the airman’s biography and names of his family members. The Air Force also bestowed posthumous medals, including the Bronze Star, upon Gillespie. (Camp Eggers report by Seaman Timothy Newborn)
Airmen basic rarely go on to become four-star generals, but one who did retired last week after a 42 year career that saw him rise from a lowly slick-sleeve to the head of one of the Air Force’s most important major commands.