A fallen Warhawk, remembered

Rachel Bieren, wife of the late Staff Sgt. Austin Bieren, 4th Space Control Squadron physical security NCOIC, participates in a ceremony honoring her husband and four service members from the 21st Space Wing and the 10th Special Forces Brigade, who lost their lives in the line of duty. The event was held at Mount Pisgah Cemetery in Cripple Creek, Colorado, August 20, 2017. (Courtesy photo)

Published Sept. 19, 2017
By Senior Master Sgt. Timothy Bahr, operations superintendent
4th Space Control Squadron

Cripple Creek, Colo. -- Staff Sgt. Austin Bieren, 4th Space Control Squadron Physical Security NCOIC was remembered at a ceremony officiated by retired Major Gen. Dale Merryrose, former Director of Command and Control Colorado based Systems, at Mount Pisgah Cemetery in Cripple Creek, Colorado, August 20, 2017.

The ceremony honored five service members from both the 21st Space Wing and the 10th Special Forces Brigade, who lost their lives in the line of duty, by adding their names onto a memorial wall located at the cemetery.

“The citizens of Cripple Creek built this Memorial Park as a place to reflect on what has been required through the years of the men and women of our Armed Forces,” said Merryrose.

The five Front Range Airmen and Soldiers added to the memorial include Staff Sgt. Austin Bieren, Maj. Andrew Byers, Staff Sgt. Christopher Wilbur, Staff Sgt. Adam Thomas and Specialist 1st Class Ryan Gloyer.

Col. Kathleen Flarity, Office of the Surgeon General, provided closing comments and conducted The Laying of the Wreath. The Laying of the Wreath is a formal ceremony that most frequently occurs at Arlington National Cemetery.

The High Frontier Honor Guard performed a rifle salute with the shots fired representing the sacrifice made by the service members. The ceremony concluded with the playing of Taps in their honor.

The Memorial Wall with 385 names engraved on it offers a place to reflect on the sacrifices made by service members and was dedicated in 2007.

Rachel Bieren, wife of the late Staff Sgt. Austin Bieren, was in attendance as well as representatives from Bieren’s leadership.