Strength in closure

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman John Strong II
  • 49th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  On the 42nd anniversary of his death, Captain Thompson's family: wife, Ann Thompson; son, Robert Thompson; son, Benjamin Thompson and daughter, Lisa Thompson-Lester, came to visit Holloman as well as Red Rio Range years after their loss. 

Decades ago, Capt. Benjamin Thompson was a flight instructor for the 524th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Cannon AFB, N.M., when he and his student were killed in a training accident on the Red Rio Range, N.M. near Holloman, March 23, 1967.

Upon hearing about Mrs. Thompson's request Col. Michael Stapleton, 49th Operations Group commander, immediately called and set up the tour to help the Thompson family obtain some form of closure.

"We learned so much from Airmen like Captain Thompson. He made us what we are today," said Colonel Stapleton. "We must remember that his family will bear their sacrifice forever. It is our duty to revere his family as we revere him. It is our culture to treat his family as our own."

The crash site of Rooster 01 is hallowed ground, and the members of Team Holloman are honored to pass on the respect of a grateful nation to the families of two heroes. It is the least we can do, he added.

The Thompson's visit started with a tour of the 49th OG air traffic control tower where they were given the opportunity to watch several F-22A Raptors take-off. Following the take-offs, the Thompson family was escorted to the 49th OG for lunch with Colonel Stapleton as well as a briefing about the F-100 by Dan King, 49th OG airspace manager.

After lunch, the Thompson family and other members of Holloman drove to the Red Rio Range and trekked to the crash site. The visit culminated with a flag folding ceremony by the 49th Fighter Wing Steel Talons Honor Guard and a prayer by Chaplain, (Maj.) Sheila Wilson, 49th Fighter Wing Chapel, at the memorial site on the range.

Following the visit to Red Rio Range, the Thompson family and members of the 49th FW made a toast to Captain Thompson.

"It is our responsibility to make sure the family's request to view the crash site was honored and that every aspect of the trip met their expectations," said Capt. Bonnie Meister, 49th OG executive officer.
The Thompson family said with the way Holloman treated them they still feel very much a part of the Air Force family.

"The base was absolutely wonderful," said Mrs. Thompson. "What Holloman did for us is just unbelievable and unforgettable. It was the trip of a lifetime and I don't know how to start thanking everyone."

Despite the loss of Captain Thompson, the family found the strength to move forward and continued his legacy by flying recreationally or working in aeronautical career fields.

Mrs. Thompson became an airline stewardess/flight service manager, as well as having worked as a civilian stenographer and instructor for the United States Air Force. Robert Thompson has a degree in aviation, flies recreationally and works for a major defense contractor. Benjamin Thompson majored in mechanical engineering and is a pilot for a major airline. Lisa Thompson-Lester has a degree in chemistry/physics, with graduate studies in Applied Science and Engineering, has flown recreationally with her brothers and works as a chemist and engineer.

Captain Thompson will forever be remembered for his endless knowledge, love for teaching and for his kind and caring nature, Mrs. Thompson said. It was his kind and caring nature that earned him the nickname 'Jingles' during his flight training because he would loan money to his pilot classmates in between paydays.

"It is important that Captain Thompson's family understands how much we still value his contributions to today's Air Force mission," said Captain Meister.