Road warrior: Airmen honor fallen comrade

  • Published
  • By Capt. Michael Meridith
  • 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan --  One Airman's commitment to a fallen comrade came full circle with the dedication of "Master Sgt. Randy Gillespie Way," here Jan. 1. The road was dedicated in honor of Sergeant Gillespie, a career fuels specialist who died July 9 from wounds sustained during small arms fire near Herat, Afghanistan.

The newly-named road owes its existence to the efforts of Tech. Sgt. Blaine Arsenault of the 455th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron. Sergeant Arsenault once worked for Sergeant Gillespie, a career fuels specialist who died July 9 from wounds sustained during small arms fire near Herat, Afghanistan.

"Sergeant Gillespie was my first supervisor," Sergeant Arsenault said. "When I heard he died, I took it personally." 

Shortly after the news reached him, Sergeant Arsenault found himself deployed to Afghanistan. 

Following a conversation with another of Sergeant Gillespie's co-workers, Senior Master Sgt. Dean Abbott, Sergeant Arsenault had an idea. 

"After Sergeant Abbott and I talked, I was walking down Disney Drive (named after the late Army Spc. Jason Disney) and I thought about the road being named for a fallen Soldier. I knew they were building a new road by the fuel farm and thought there was no better way to honor Sergeant Gillespie's memory than to name it after him." 

After weeks of research and coordination, Sergeant Arsenault's efforts resulted in the naming of road, including the Jan. 1 unveiling of a sign proclaiming "Gillespie Way" during a ceremony in the fallen Airman's honor. 

"Master Sergeant Gillespie's memory will live on," Col. Barry Mines, the 455th Expeditionary Mission Support Group commander, told the group gathered for the
ceremony. "As our trucks drive around this fuel farm the drivers will remember one of their very own fuels specialists who gave his life in the service of his country." 

Sergeant Abbott, who knew Sergeant Gillespie for 14 years, said he would have appreciated the efforts on his behalf. 

"He would've loved it. He was a people person," said Sergeant Abbott. "We as a people, a profession and an Air Force have lost a great human being. He was the whole package. He was all about helping and he volunteered to come back to Afghanistan because he wanted to make a positive difference." 

Admiring the new road after the ceremony, Sergeant Arsenault summed up the legacy of his fallen comrade, "He was a mentor, a wingman, a leader and a warrior. He will not be forgotten." 

Comment on this story (comments may be published on Air Force Link)

Click here to view the comments/letters page