Fallen Heroes Tree of Honor decorated at CIRA

Posted on November 27, 2017
The family members of service men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice decorate the Fallen Heroes Tree of Honor to remember their loved ones. (Photo courtesy WJBC/Patrick Baron)

By Patrick Baron/Howard Packowitz

BLOOMINGTON – Several Gold Star families visited Central Illinois Regional Airport this afternoon to decorate the Fallen Heroes Tree of Honor.

Kathi Lear lost her brother, Navy Submariner James David Lear, in 1989. Lear, who was from Washburn, drowned when heavy waves hit the USS Barbel off the coast of Japan. His sister recalled how Lear, a fireman apprentice, saved his fellow crewmates by closing the hatch before the submarine fully submerged.

She says the Tree of Honor is a kind gesture to remember her brother.

“It means quite a bit, it’s a big honor and it’s a way to keep his memory going,” Lear explained.

The tree will be dedicated at the airport Tuesday morning.

Patrick Baron can be reached at [email protected].

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected].

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