EOD Liberty Warrior is gone but not forgotten

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Kristopher Levasseur
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  Heavy clouds covered the sky and chilly winds blew past, almost as if mother-nature understood the somber occasion that many Liberty Warrior's were gathering together for.

We assembled to pay our respects and say farewell to Tech. Sgt. Phillip A. Myers, a member of the 48th Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal flight who was killed in action April 4 in Afghanistan.

I did not know Sergeant Myers well, but I have worked with him on several occasions. That being said, I can say this - Sergeant Myers was a person who commanded a lot of respect. He was a very dedicated individual and his enthusiasm rubbed off on everyone who interacted with him. 

And it was for that dedication to duty and hard work here and downrange that he was posthumously promoted to the rank of Tech. Sgt. by Col. Jay Silveria, 48th Fighter Wing Commander.

"Sergeant Myers was an exceptional NCO, dedicated warrior, and valued patriot who died in an effort to protect his comrades," said Colonel Silveria. "Sergeant Myers has personally touched the lives of many of us here in the Liberty Wing."

Colonel Silveria went on to say that Sergeant Myers had earned the promotion, not for the situation, but because of the many things he had accomplished in the Air Force and was nominated for a Stripes To Exceptional Performers, or STEP, promotion before he was killed.

Those closest to him agree that he was deserving of the promotion, as they spoke of how he enjoyed his job as an EOD technician.

"Phil loved what he did, more than anyone I have ever met," said Master Sgt. Kieran Flynn, 48th CES EOD technician. "He was a model EOD technician."

Not a dry eye could be seen in the crowd as an emotional Sergeant Flynn delivered the eulogy and recounted his experience of traveling back to the U.S. with Sergeant Myers' family to receive the body at Dover Air Force Base, Del.

"We stood by as the Honor Guard carried Phil from the aircraft to a nearby vehicle," Sergeant Flynn said. "As I stood there, I could not believe Phil was in that case. Phil? this can't be real - things like this don't happen to people like Phil."

Sergeant Flynn's words were a testament to the impact that Sergeant Myers had on everyone in his life, but they also serve to remind us of the difficulty that all servicemembers face in dealing with the loss of a fellow Airman.

"Yesterday during the rehearsal for this ceremony, the Chaplain approached me and asked if I was going to be ok giving my support during part of the ceremony," said Sergeant Flynn. "I looked at him and said 'Yes, this is the fourth EOD technician killed in action that I've had to eulogize, but it's not going to be easy and it's not going to be ok. I'm going to be scared, really scared. I have to stand up in front of his family and friends and say the right things to pay him the respect he deserves.'"

Throughout the ceremony several others, who knew Sergeant Myers, shared their thoughts about his character as an Airman, friend, and family man. The ceremony truly honored his memory in a powerful way.

I could feel the heaviness of the emotion in each person who stood before the crowd, and the sense of loss and tremendous respect of those who attended the event. I am honored to have known him and I can tell you, Sergeant Myers, a decorated military veteran, was a true brother to all those who serve, and a defender, to all those who don't. He made the ultimate sacrifice to protect the ideals that we as military members stand for. And he will never be forgotten for it.