Columbus Honors Fallen Airman Tyler Simmons With Street Sign Outside Eastmoor Academy: Mayor Proclaims October 20 as Master Sergeant Tyler Simmons Day
The City of Columbus, in Franklin County, Ohio, joined Columbus City Schools and the family of fallen airman Tyler Simmons on October 20 to unveil a commemorative street sign, "Master Sergeant Tyler Simmons Way," at the intersection of Weyant and Plymouth avenues near Eastmoor Academy High School. Mayor Andrew Ginther also issued the family a proclamation announcing that October 20 would be Master Sergeant Tyler Simmons Day in Columbus. Hundreds of supporters, former teachers and Eastmoor students attended the event.
Simmons, 28, was a Columbus native and Columbus City Schools graduate who served as a boom operator with the Ohio Air National Guard's 121st Air Refueling Wing. He was among six service members killed in March when two KC-135 tanker airplanes crashed in western Iraq while participating in an "Operation Epic Fury" mission.
His father, Mylo Simmons, said at the ceremony that the crowd "wasn't there because Tyler died" but "because he lived," calling his son "the greatest gift and joy" he and his mother have ever had, and hoping Eastmoor Academy students find inspiration in Tyler's legacy. "Generations of people who may have never had the privilege of knowing our son will see his name, and perhaps they will pause," he said. "And when you pass the sign, we hope you will remember more than the name of a fallen American hero. Remember a little boy who grew up in Columbus with big dreams." (Compiled from The Columbus Dispatch, October 20)
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: Columbus 市中心实景（Main Street 桥视角）。图片来源：Wikimedia Commons 文件 Downtown Columbus View from Main St Bridge - edit1.jpg，Paul Wasneski 摄，Public domain（公有领域） 授权
