WEBVTT

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- As we all know, that remembering our fallen

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is the most important thing that we can do.

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Having lost Bill and Juan,

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Staff Sergeant Juan Ridout, Master Sergeant Bill McDaniel

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in a helicopter crash on 22nd February, 2002.

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There's nothing I could do more important right now

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on my last day than be here to honor

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Master Sergeant McDaniel and

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during this commemoration of this highway.

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I think it's really crucial that we, as Americans,

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never forget those that paid ultimate sacrifice.

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- [Male] So, describe what it was like working with him.

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- Well Bill McDaniels was the quiet professional.

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He hardly ever said anything, and when he said something,

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you'd better be listening 'cause it's important.

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He cared deeply about his family.

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He was a great father, had a young son, Alex,

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and his wife was pregnant with William McDaniel III

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at the time of Bill McDaniels loss.

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Just a tremendous man, is the way I'd sum it up.

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- [Male] And what do you think he would say

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if he knew that there was gonna be a

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stretch of a highway dedicated to him?

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- He wouldn't want it done.

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He's very humble.

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All he wanted to do was be a PJ and lead,

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and lead in combat any way he can.

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He would never want the attention drawn to himself

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but to his teammates and to the squadron.

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- [Female] Do you have anything else you want to say

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about Sergeant McDaniel or the ceremony today?

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- What a special way to honor Bill McDaniels.

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What a lot of people don't realize

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that Master Sergeant Bill McDaniels

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and Staff Sergeant Juan Ridout

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were the first two Air Force casualties after 9/11.

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They were the first two Air Force killed in combat

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following the attacks of 9/11.

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Unfortunately, Special Tactics has suffered 17 more

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KIA since that point.

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It's important to have ceremonies like this

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to honor those that have gone before us,

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and those that paid the ultimate sacrifice.