JBB first-responders remember fallen comrade

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Dilia Ayala
  • 332nd AEW Public Affairs
JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq --  First-responders from across JBB joined together to remember a fallen firefighter, Staff Sgt. Ray Rangel, during an annual memorial ceremony here Feb. 13.

Rangel, a fire emergency services technician, died in Iraq Feb. 13, 2005, while attempting to save two Soldiers trapped in an overturned HMMWV in a canal in northern Iraq. His body was found downstream a few hours later.

Each year, as a tribute to his sacrifice, "response family" members, to include firefighters, explosive ordnance disposal members, security forces Airmen, Army medics and unit commanders gather together at the "Staff Sgt. Ray Rangel" memorial. Etched out of a piece of HMMWV, the memorial was constructed in 2007, and features Rangel's name and the date he lost his life.

"Today was the 'Last Roll Call' for Staff Sgt. Ray Rangel," said Master Sgt. Christopher Raynor, 332nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron assistant chief of fire prevention services from Montezuma, Iowa. "Four years ago on this date, he made the ultimate sacrifice. It's important to remember the people who have given their lives in an attempt to rescue their fellow man. So we are out here today to do that."

Airmen, Soldiers and civilians alike stood in formation and paused for a moment of silence to remember one of their own and the ultimate sacrifice he made. The U.S. flag and firefighter flag were flown at half-mast in Rangel's honor for the remainder of the day.
At the end of the duty day, the U.S. flag was taken down and properly folded. The flag will be sent to Rangel's family in the near future.

"(Rangel's) memory should never go away and certainly always be honored and cherished," said Raynor, who is currently deployed from Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. "There are so many things I could talk about regarding the devotion firefighters give to their fellow man. It's hard to put into words what it is that we do and the effort that every one of our firefighters gives on a day-to-day basis, their willingness to get up at all hours of the night to go help somebody."

Firefighter Tech. Sgt. Dwayne Jackson, who was previously stationed with Rangel, was at the ceremony to pay his respects.

"Four years later, it is still sad," said Jackson, who is deployed here from Dyess AFB, Texas. "However, he was dedicated to his job, and he did what he knew he had to do.

"Back home, we recently got a new fire station," continued the Albuquerque, N.M., native. "There is a section in the historical part of the station dedicated to him. He was a good guy and he will not be forgotten." 

Staff Sgt. Ray Rangel was assigned to the 7th Civil Engineer Squadron before deploying.