Local veterans respond to death of Moody combat rescue officer

March 19, 2015

VALDOSTA, Ga. (WCTV) -- For some Valdosta veterans, a helicopter crash overseas that took several lives hits close to home.

Captain Mark Weber was one of seven who died in a helicopter crash in Iraq on Thursday. The 29-year-old was a Combat Rescue Officer at Moody Air Force Base.

"You know when they get into the aircraft and when they go into those hot zones, that they're going to be under fire, but their mission is that person who's hurt," said Valdosta veteran and founder of Veteran's First Light, Bryan Roy.

The mission of a Combat Rescue Officer is to rescue those injured in combat. Veterans said these officers are often the last hope.

"To have a first responder, if you will, that ends up losing their life in the pursuit of saving another, it's amost one of those double edged kind of hurts," Roy said.

Moody Air Force Base keeps military at the core of the community. Veterans said while it means a lot, it's still important for community members to show their support.

"Because these folks are your neighbors, they're the people that you go to church with, the people that live down the street that your kids to go to school with. Just to remind them that they're part of your neighborhood, part of your community, just like you would do for a family member," Roy said.

Moody Air Force Base was not available for comment Monday.