Ray died on February 13, 2005 in the service of his country. Please remember Ray's wife, children, other family members, and friends in your prayers. May God give them strength and hold them up.
Noon, February 16, 2005, was designated as the time for all US Air Force Fire Departments to conduct a Last Alarm and Moment of Silence ceremony for SSgt Ray Rangel. The response was overwhelming. I have included pictures of the ceremonies conducted around the world. Due to time differences, all pictures have not yet been received. I will post other pictures as they are received.
For security reasons, I did not list the locations of our warrior firefighters who are serving around the world on our behalf. Please remember them in your prayers. May God bless them all Here are the pictures.
Update: 28 Feb 05: I just posted pictures of the memorial service held at Dyess AFB TX on 18 Feb. The service was fitting a true hero. By permission, the eulogy given by Ray's Wing Commander is provided below:
Isaiah 6:8. The Lord asked, "Whom shall I send? Who shall go for us?" And Ray said, "Send Me, I will go."
Today Team Dyess mourns the loss of a brother, a true hero, a proud warrior, dedicated firefighter and Airman...a member of our family. Many of you know the circumstances that led to Ray's death. An Army Humvee evading hostile action with three soldiers aboard became immersed in a canal of swift moving water. Ray responded and led a team of five brave firefighters to their rescue. In the difficult conditions, the firefighters themselves became in dire peril. Ray died insuring his fellow firefighters were saved.
Now you will hear from well meaning people that Ray lost his life and how tragic it was. Ray did not lose his life; he gave it and this is not a tragedy...it is a noble and courageous sacrifice and that is what we are honoring today and will always honor. Our profound grief at losing our brother is tempered by our enormous pride in his actions, his courage and his heroism.
You know we all deal with grief differently but the experts tell us that there are phases of the grieving process and I guess I find myself stuck in the anger phase. You see, we as commanders are entrusted with the most precious resource America has, our sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, our husbands and our fathers. And when we cannot deliver them safely home we feel a sense of failure and anger. Well this anger is directed at those responsible and I today, speaking on behalf of all 6,100 Team Dyess warriors here today and currently serving all over the world - we have a message for these so called insurgents, these terrorists. Ray went to bring peace and freedom and hope. But you resist and you want to maim and kill; you want to spread hatred, fear, and tyranny. Fine. Send your worst. We sent our best and against the likes of SSgt Ray Rangel you will not stand! You took Ray but others have already followed and in their hearts they will draw on Ray's spirit, his courage, his legacy and they will be stronger because of it. And with the help of Almighty God our victory over your evil will be as complete as it is ensured.
Ray answered the call. Thank you Ray. We all fervently hope and pray that this great and free nation always has young men and women like you, Ray, that will stand up and say, "Send me, I will go."
God Bless you Ray, God Bless all of you, our Air Force and the United States of America.