CLASSMATES, TOWN PAY TRIBUTE TO FALLEN COMBAT CONTROLLER
By Tech. Sgt. Ginger Schreitmueller Air Force Special Operations Command Public Affairs
WINDSOR LOCKS, Conn. (Night Flyer News Service) – The 1983 Windsor Locks High School yearbook shows a young John Chapman amongst its graduating students.
The star athlete in soccer and swim chose a simple quote to accompany his image. The quote, his classmates said, reflected the integrity and dedication of the team player: "Give of yourself before taking of someone else."
In March 2002, Tech. Sgt. John Chapman -- an Air Force Combat Controller -- was fatally wounded during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Sergeant Chapman was killed when he and several fellow Special Operators attempted to rescue a Navy SEAL who had fallen from a helicopter during Operation Anaconda. Holding to the Special Operations tenet of "Leave No Man Behind," Sergeant Chapman and his team returned to the area where the SEAL was believed to be – in the midst of intense enemy fire – without hesitation.
His childhood friends made a promise to each other to honor their friend and remind all of his selfless team focus shown throughout childhood and his military service.
That promise was fulfilled Oct. 19, when his friends, family and hundreds of people from this small Connecticut town gathered to pay tribute to Sergeant Chapman. The tribute to a man they all knew as "Chappy," included the re-naming of a street to the sergeant and dedicating a granite memorial near his alma mater. "John was more than a national hero; he was 'Chappy,' a fellow classmate and student, a teammate and friend," said Brian Topor, who led the efforts to remember the fallen Combat Controller. "He was a godfather, an uncle and a brother. He was a loving son, and a devoted husband and father."
Mr. Topor was among 10 classmates of Sergeant Chapman who made a pact to pay tribute to the first Connecticut native to die in the nation's global war on terrorism. The classmates helped raise funds and organize two main events to remember "Chappy."
The first event began with a street dedication near the town's Veteran's Memorial Park. The roadway leads to a small memorial dedicated to all the town's veterans, and is surrounded by soccer fields.
"This is a small but important place on this planet to remember John," said Rev. Francis McDonnell, during the invocation at the street dedication ceremony. "He will forever be in our minds and our hearts. (With the renaming of this street as Tech. Sergeant John A. Chapman Way), John will also be in our eyes and his memory will be always."
Sergeant Chapman's sister said the new street is a perfect location to remind others of her brother's accomplishments. "Right behind this field is the old elementary school we went to," said Lori McQueeney. "Johnny spent countless hours playing soccer on the field right here. This will serve to remind us of my brother, and all those who are still doing what Johnny did in defense of our nation."
Chappy's friends then gathered the town at the high school for a dedication of a memorial plaque. Nestled near the school's varsity athlete fields, the plaque sits at the base of the flagpole facing the field where Sergeant Chapman earned varsity honors in soccer.
Honored guests attending the ceremony included the Governor of Connecticut John Rowland; Maj. Gen. Daniel Leaf, Air Force director of operational requirements, deputy chief of staff for air and space operations, representing the Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld; Brig. Gen. Ireneusz Zembrzuski, assistant adjutant general-Army, Connecticut National Guard; and, Col. Craig Rith, 720th Special Tactics Group commander.
Mr. Topor reminded those gathered for the ceremony that Chappy's death was a reflection of a "team-first" philosophy he exhibited growing up in Windsor Locks.
"I hope those who have never met John come to know him and be inspired by his zest for life, commitment to teamwork and his understanding and acceptance of those who were less fortunate," said Mr. Topor. "Despite his elite position within the military, John never lost sight of these qualities and values."
Addressing the crowd gathered for the ceremony, including several local high school soccer teams, Mr. Topor battled rain and tears to pay tribute to his friend.
"It is easy to reflect on the days that John played soccer on this very field, swam and dove in the pool and walked through the halls of the school that stand behind us. It is a fitting place to remember John Allan Chapman as his formative years were spent here in Windsor Locks," said Mr. Topor. "It is here he was raised with the values and ambitions that he continued to live by as an adult."
Connecticut's Air National Guard provided a rifle salute and Taps for the ceremony, as well as an A-10 flyover from 103rd Fighter Wing. Maj. Patrick Whelan, from the Connecticut State Police Pipes and Drums Unit, performed "Amazing Grace" on the bagpipe to close the event. Messages from Vice President Dick Cheney and Secretary Rumsfeld were presented to Sergeant Chapman's family after the service. The Windsor Locks High School Soccer team hosted a match after the ceremony in tribute of Sergeant Chapman.
Col. Craig Rith, 720th Special Tactics Group commander, tells the family, friends and neighbors about the dedication of Tech. Sgt. John Chapman during the street re-naming ceremony in Windsor Locks, Conn.
The roadway leading to the Windsor Lock Veteran's Memorial Park was re-named "TSgt. John A. Chapman Way" in honor of the Air Force Combat Controller who was killed in Afghanistan, while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
A homemade America Flag rests along the memorial plague dedicated to Tech. Sgt. John A. Chapman, an Air Force Combat Controller killed in March 2002. The memorial is located near the high school athletic fields where Sergeant Chapman played varsity soccer. (Photos by Tech. Sgt. Ginger Schreitmueller)