Kittyhawk Chapter Honors Fallen Members at Annual Remembrance Ceremony
The AOC Kittyhawk Chapter held its annual Honor Night on September 24, bringing together approximately 70 friends, family, and colleagues to commemorate chapter members who have passed away since the previous ceremony in October 2023.
The evening honored 10 individuals, including Colonel Jimmie Caldwell (USAF Ret.), Ronald Earhart, David Diaz, Duane Warner, Lawrence “Larry” Gutman, Richard “Dick” Cunningham, Roy Ballard, John Jacobs, George Reinhardt, and John McCall. Family members of several honorees attended the ceremony, adding personal significance to the occasion.
Attendees shared stories and memories of the deceased throughout the evening, creating moments of both celebration and reflection. The event featured refreshments as members gathered to pay tribute to their colleagues’ lives and service.
The Honor Night tradition was established in 2014 by Paul Westcott, who received AOC’s 2024 Gold Award. Westcott organized the inaugural ceremony to honor W.O. “Bud” Chamberlain and Angus “Gus” Kiser. Since its inception, the Kittyhawk Chapter has conducted nine Honor Night ceremonies, recognizing more than 100 crows and their spouses.
The annual event has become a cornerstone tradition for the chapter, providing an opportunity for the community to gather and remember those who have served. The presence of family members at this year’s ceremony underscored the event’s importance in preserving the legacy of deceased members and maintaining connections with their loved ones.
The Kittyhawk Chapter continues to uphold this decade-long tradition as a way to ensure that the contributions and memories of its members endure within the organization.
