Blue Ribbon Jam supports families of fallen Airmen

Lt. Col. Neil Allen, 336th Fighter Squadron commander, speaks about his experiences working with Captains Mark McDowell and Thomas Gramith during the Blue Ribbon Jam on Center Street in Goldsboro, N.C., Oct. 1, 2009. Many members of the 336th Fighter Squadron attended the event to honor their fallen comrades. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Airman 1st Class Rae Perry)

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Blue Ribbon Jam supports families of fallen Airmen

Col. Mark Kelly, 4th Fighter Wing commander, speaks to the crowd during the Blue Ribbon Jam on Center Street in Goldsboro, N.C., Oct. 1, 2009. Lt. Col. Neil Allen, 336th Fighter Squadron commander, also spoke of his experiences during the deployment to Afghanistan from April to September. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Airman 1st Class Rae Perry)

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Blue Ribbon Jam supports families of fallen Airmen

Madeline Edwards sings the National Anthem for the Blue Ribbon Jam on Center Street in Goldsboro, N.C., Oct. 1, 2009. Before Ms. Edwards sang, the honorable Mayor Al King led the crowd in the ?Pledge of Allegiance?. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Rae Perry)

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Blue Ribbon Jam supports families of fallen Airmen

The Goldsboro Police Department color guard practices posting the colors before the Blue Ribbon Jam on Center Street in Goldsboro, N.C., Oct. 1, 2009. The color guard is comprised of four men from the department who have strong discipline. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Rae Perry)

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Blue Ribbon Jam supports families of fallen Airmen

A crowd gathers to listen to the Saints of Sound perform during the Blue Ribbon Jam in Goldsboro, N.C., Oct. 1, 2009. The News Argus sponsored the Blue Ribbon Jam. Event proceeds went to the Blue Ribbon Fund for the families of Captains Thomas Gramith and Mark McDowell, 336th Fighter Squadron, who were killed when their F-15E Strike Eagle crashed in Afghanistan July 18. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Rae Perry)

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Blue Ribbon Jam supports families of fallen Airmen

The Saints of Sound perform during the News Argus' Blue Ribbon Jam Oct. 1, 2009, honoring fallen Seymour Johnson Air Force Base Airmen from an F-15E Strike Eagle that crashed in Afghanistan. Captains Thomas Gramith and Mark McDowell deployed with the 336th Fighter Squadron from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Rae Perry)

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Blue Ribbon Jam supports families of fallen Airmen

Published Oct. 6, 2009
By Seymour Johnson Air Force Base
4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE -- The aroma of pizza, popcorn and hot dogs fill the air. The stage is set. The band plays for friends and families who gathered in support of a common cause. Small children bounce to the beat of the music. The Blue Ribbon Jam, sponsored by the News Argus, brought the Goldsboro community together to remember two fallen Airmen from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, Oct. 1, 2009.

The fundraising event, donated proceeds to the families of Captains Thomas Gramith and Mark McDowell from the 336th Fighter Squadron, who were killed when their F-15E Strike Eagle crashed in Afghanistan while deployed this past July.