I wish to express my sincerest condolences to the members of the 106th Air Rescue Wing and the families of Captain Christopher Zanetis, Captain Andreas O’Keefe, Master Sgt. Christopher Raguso, and Staff Sgt. Dashan Briggs. Our community has suffered a loss that cannot be weighed. Their commitment and sacrifice to our nation will never be forgotten. They are heroes in the truest sense of the word.

As a state representative who represents our Air National Guard in Westhampton and as a part of the Friends of the 106th, I have seen the contribution these soldiers make to our community, state and nation. Whether it is deployment to the Middle East since 9/11, search and rescue operations during the recent hurricanes, their well-chronicled heroism during the “Perfect Storm” or the multitude of other activities, near and far, that are part of their mission, the 106th makes us proud. Nothing expresses the commitment of these soldiers better than the motto of the 106th…“That others may live.”

We know the danger that they face. Still, when tragedy strikes, as it did this week, their loss shakes us to the core.

My condolences also go to the heroes lost from other units: Staff Sgt. Carl Enis, Master Sgt. William Posch, and Capt. Mark Weber.

May God bless them all.