Hearts Broken As Services Begin For Airman Killed In Copter Crash

WESTHAMPTON BEACH, NY — A hush fell over the Westhampton Beach Volunteer Fire Department Wednesday as scores of servicemen and women, veterans, firefighters, police officers, young and old waited respectfully in line to say good-bye to a hero.

Services for Tech. Sgt. Dashan J. Briggs, from Riverhead, began on Wednesday afternoon and continue Wednesday evening from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Westhampton Beach Volunteer Fire Department on Sunset Ave.

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, 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."

And 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.

On Thursday at 10 a.m., a funeral service will be held at Westhampton Beach Volunteer Fire Department. Interment will follow at Calverton National Cemetery.

Riverhead students will pay tribute to Briggs on Thursday; at Riverhead High School, the NJROTC will honor 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 will line the procession route to pay homage to the Riverhead alumnus. To further mark Staff Sgt. Briggs’ memory, the students have hung yellow ribbons along the football field fence.

On Tuesday, 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.

As the community continues to mourn Briggs, the former Riverhead High School athlete who was one of seven killed in a tragic military helicopter crash in Iraq, a GoFundMe has been created to help his family.

The GoFundMe, "In Loving Memory of Dashan Briggs," was created by Andre Galarza in East Meadow.

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 will take 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 will take place on Wednesday at Rise Bar at 859 9th Avenue, New York, NY from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

On Thursday, March 29 at 11 a.m. there will be a processional ceremony led by the FDNY from Engine 28 Ladder 11 to Washington Square Park. A reception for family and friends at New York University will follow.

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 by Lisa Finn.

Courtesy photo of flag in Riverhead.