MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. -- Muffled sobs filled the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar chapel during a memorial service May 26 as mourners listened to a poem that Lt. Col. John C. Spahr's daughter wrote about her father.
"I'll try to be strong, but sometimes I will cry. But they are tears of joy that stream through my eye. For the great memories we shared will stay in my head. For you are a hero who led. Semper Fi Daddy, Chandler."
The memorial was held at the air station chapel in memory of two Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 323 pilots, Spahr and Capt. Kelly Hinz, who died in an aircraft mishap May 2 while supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
During the hour-long observance, the overflowing chapel of grievers prayed, sang songs of worship and listened to the eulogies for the two pilots. After the heartfelt speeches and benediction, the ceremony was taken outside as four F/A-18 Hornets flew over the chapel. One of the jets veered off to the right, signifying the squadron's loss of the pilots.
"They we're both great guys," said Sabrina S. Lawrence, Spahr's sister. "These were guys you could never forget. They were true American heroes."
Spahr's family was impressed by the amount of people who came to honor their beloved "Dukes," who received his call sign from mimicking John Wayne.
"It's inspiring how many people came to the memorial and know of him," said Brian Harrington, Spahr's brother-in-law. "Marines really take care of their own and do things right."
According to Harrington and Spahr's brother Steven, the seasoned pilot impacted a lot of the attendees during his lifetime.
"As a child, John was always the team captain during kickball, and he'd always help out the guy who was picked last," said Steven Spahr, holding back tears. "Many Marines have also told me that he was the type of guy who found something positive in everyone. He was just looking out for everybody all of the time."
Hinz's friends and fellow Marines remember the pilot as family oriented and good humored.
"He always had this mischievous look in his eye," said Lt. Col. Jeffrey Woods, executive officer, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. "When we were flying you could turn up the intercom and hear him yelling, 'I'm going to get you!' or 'you're going down!' He was a go-getter and he really did have the fire to fly and fight."
When Hinz wasn't flying, he was spending time with his wife and eight-month old daughter, Abby.
"He always put his family first," said Woods. "He loved his wife and daughter Abby, the light of his life. You could tell that his family was a huge priority."
Spahr is survived by his mother, Eileen Spahr and daughter, Chandler M. Spahr. Hinz is survived by his wife, Molly Hinz and daughter, Abby.