Mourning A Hero: Airman Killed In Copter Crash Laid To Rest

WESTHAMPTON BEACH, NY — Under a blanket of gray clouds and mist, heavy hearts joined hands in Westhampton Beach to say good-bye to a true hero.

Tears flowed freely even from the strongest of servicemen at the Westhampton Beach Volunteer Fire Department Wednesday as a crowd gathered for the funeral of Tech. Sgt. Dashan J. Briggs, from Riverhead.

Briggs, 30, was one of four heroes from the NY Air National Guard's 106th Rescue Wing, located at Gabreski Airport in Westhampton, who died in a tragic helicopter crash in Iraq that killed seven airmen.

Inside the firehouse, it was standing room only: Briggs' coffin was draped with an American flag; a beautiful American flag created with red, white and blue flowers also stood alongside, a testament to his patriotism, devotion and dedication.

Another spray of flowers featured the heartfelt words, "These things we do, that others may live."

The service began with "The Star Spangled Banner" as the somber crowd stood respectfully.

Lieutenant Colonel Rodney Lisec, HH-60G Pavehawk helicopter pilot from the 106th Rescue Wing of the New York Air National Guard, shared his memories of Briggs, intertwining humor and heart as he told a story about how Briggs, who came to the 106th as an ammunitions specialist, brought a fierce desire to serve coupled with a deeply ingrained work ethic. But there was only one problem — Briggs didn't know how to swim. Undaunted, he took Safety Swim classes with toddlers, never wavering in his dedication.

"Dashan is my brother," he said. His tenacity led to great success; Briggs had accrued the highest number of flying hours and was known for his volunteerism and ever-willingness to lend a hand.

"This was a very selfless man," he said. "Integrity was just a part of his life."

Next, Briggs' high school friend Andre Galarza remembered Dashan, who graduated Riverhead High School in 2007, as "cool," having a variety of cars including a Range Rover and an El Dorado. The pair remained friends even though they attended different colleges and later, bonded again when they worked together, caring for disabled adults — and sharing an apartment for a time in Bellport.

Smiling, Galarza said his friend always kept his cars immaculate. He, too, referenced Briggs' inability to swim and said he'd once saved him from the ocean.

"I always looked up to him," Galarza said, even more so when Briggs joined the Air Force to serve the nation. "He was a straight up guy, a gentleman, a family guy. Brother, I'll miss you so much."

Galarza said when he heard the news of the crash, he didn't want to believe it could be true, kept praying he'd hear that his lifetime friend had somehow jumped to safety.

And then, he said, "I thought of Rebecca and the babies," Briggs' small children Jayden and Ava.

"I didn't know what to do," he said, adding that he then kicked off a GoFundMe, "In Loving Memory of Dashan Briggs," that so far has raised $38,249 of its $40,000 goal. To donate, click here.

The funds, he said, will go a long way toward helping Briggs' family.

"Dashan, I'll miss you. I love you, brother," he said.

Eli Briggs, Dashan's grandfather, then spoke movingly, with love and laughter, about the young man who'd illuminated his life.

"He liked to laugh and have fun," Briggs said. His grandson was his fishing buddy, he said, but the pair more often than not ended up towing cars for people whose vehicles had gotten stuck in the sand.

In fact, Briggs said, Dashan often teased him about his own truck, urging him to get a newer model.

He thanked Sharon Young and his son Gregory Briggs, Dashan's parents, "for bringing Dashan into my life." He also spoke lovingly to Briggs' widow Rebecca. "Dashan picked a lovely wife," he said.

His grandson, he said, was "a good man, a loving man."

"Dashan lived the life he wanted to live, and I supported him in that all the way," he said, urging the crowd, "Don't give up on life."

And while his death was sudden, Briggs said he and his grandson had spoken and agreed, "Life is like a freeway and you never know when your exit is going to come up."

Having lost his own father at just two-and-a-half years old, Briggs vowed that the entire family would join together to help raise the babies his grandson left behind.

"He's in our heart," he said.

Reading a Bible verse, Briggs said he knew for certain that his grandson would agree and ask that everyone gathered find solace in the words of the Scripture: "Just keep on loving one another," he said.

Among the huge crowd at the service were Rep. Lee Zeldin and Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone.

As the Patriot Guard Riders let the funeral procession to Calverton National Cemetery, they passed through Westhampton Beach, where schoolchildren had lined the way with hand-colored messages and drawings of love.

As the procession headed toward the ceremony, a soft rain, like so many tears, began to fall.

At his wake Wednesday, throughout the room were photos, a sea of photographs depicting a smiling Briggs, in the delivery room when his beautiful babies were born, standing proudly beside his devoted wife, and creating memories with the many who loved him. Smiling, happy photos of Briggs celebrating love and the cherished values he died a hero to protect. Photos of a blessed life cut heartbreakingly short in the line of duty to the nation he served so proudly.

Among the scores present at the wake Wednesday were elected officials including Riverhead Town Councilwoman Jodi Giglio and Riverhead Town Councilman Jim Wooten.

Riverhead students also paid tribute to Briggs on Thursday; at Riverhead High School, the NJROTC honored the fallen soldier by saluting his funeral procession as it stops in front of their school before making its way to Calverton National Cemetery.

Additionally, students at Riverhead Middle School and Pulaski Street School lined the procession route to pay homage to the Riverhead alumnus. To further mark Staff Sgt. Briggs' memory, the students hung yellow ribbons along the football field fence.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, streets in Westhampton and Riverhead were draped with American flags as a procession brought the hero home.

Briggs held the rank of staff sergeant when he passed. He was promoted posthumously to the rank of technical sergeant.

Briggs, a former Riverhead High School football star who lived in Port Jefferson Station, was an HH-60G special missions aviation flight engineer. He joined the 106th Rescue Wing in 2010. He was a full time military member with the wing and assigned to the 101st Rescue Squadron. He previously deployed to Afghanistan as a munitions system specialist with the 106th Maintenance Group, and to Texas and the Caribbean for hurricanes Harvey and Irma as a member of the 101st.

The lives of all four New York Air National Guard airman from the 106th Rescue Wing who were killed in an Iraq helicopter crash will be honored and mourned as they are laid to rest and remembered at memorials in their hometowns by the many who loved them.

Services are as follows:

Master Sgt. Christoper Raguso

Visitation for Master Sgt. Christopher Raguso are also taking place on Thursday, March 29 and Friday March 30 from 2 p.m.- 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.- 9 p.m. at the Commack Fire Department, 6309 Jericho Turnpike, Commack, NY 11725.

On Saturday, March 31 at 11 a.m., Raguso's service will be held at St. Joseph's RC Church, located at 59 Church St. in Kings Park.

Interment will follow at Calverton National Cemetery.

The family would like for any donations to be sent to the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Tower Foundation.

Donations to benefit the children of Lt. Raguso can be made by visiting www.fdnyfoundation.org/donate/ and selecting "Scholarship Fund to Benefit the Children of FDNY Lieutenant Christopher Raguso" from the drop-down menu.

Capt. Andreas O'Keeffe

On Friday, April 6, a funeral mass will be held for Capt. Andreas O'Keeffe in Tampa, FL at Incarnation Catholic Church at 11 a.m. Further details will be announced.

Capt. Christoper T. Zanetis

A celebration of Capt. Christopher T. Zanetis, or "Tripp's," remarkable life took place on Wednesday at Rise Bar in New York City.

On Thursday, a processional ceremony was led by the FDNY from Engine 28 Ladder 11 to Washington Square Park. A reception for family and friends at New York University followed.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to: The Fisher House Foundation, The New York Police & Fire Widows' & Children's Benefit Fund, or Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

The world is paying tribute to the fallen heroes: Last week, before facing the Blue Jackets, the New York Rangers observed a moment of silence to honor the seven military heroes lost in a tragic helicopter crash in Iraq last week.

Before the game, an announcement was made to the crowd: "Last week, seven service members tragically lost their lives when their helicopter crashed in western Iraq."

The airmen killed were identified on March 17; three of them were from Long Island and all were assigned to the 106th Rescue Wing.

The airmen were part of a seven-member team who died when the HH-60G Pave Hawk rescue helicopter they were flying crashed near the city of Al-Qa'im in western Iraq on Thursday.

There is no evidence of enemy action involved in the crash and the incident is under investigation, according to the Department of Defense.

"It is with great sadness that I report the loss of four of our wing members," said Col. Michael Bank, the commander of the 106th Rescue Wing.

"All four of these heroes served their nation and community. Our sincerest condolences and sympathies to the families and friends that have been touched by this tragic event," Bank added.

"Our National Guard family mourns the loss of the seven combat search and rescue Airmen in the HH-60 crash, including four members from the 106th Rescue Wing," said Major General Anthony German, the Adjutant General of New York. "This loss reminds us of the tremendous risks we take in serving our nation every day."

"We honor their service, their professionalism, and their sacrifice as we mourn their loss," German added.

The other three heroes killed in the crash were identified as Master Sgt. William R. Posch, 36, of Florida; and Staff Sgt. Carl Enis, 31, of Florida, and Capt. Mark K. Weber, 29, of Colorado.

Patch photos, video by Lisa Finn.

Courtesy photo of flag in Riverhead.

Photo of Riverhead students courtesy Riverhead Central School District.