Family, comrades honor Argel
By Mark Baylis - Staff Writer Lompoc Record
6/12/05 A 21-gun salute shattered the silence at Lompoc Evergreen Cemetery Friday, followed by mournful bugler notes and the roar of three F-16 jet fighters crossing the June sky in a traditional "missing man" fly-by.
The trio of sounds opened the flood gates of tears from the several hundred attendees who paid their respects to Air Force Capt. Derek Argel, of Lompoc, at a full military memorial service. Wendy Argel is presented the flag of the United States during the funeral service for her late husband in Lompoc, Calif., Friday June 10, 2005. Air Force Captain Derek Mears Argel was killed in an aircraft accident in the desert of eastern Iraq on May 31, 2005.
"This town raised Derek," said Argel's mother, Debbie Argel Bastian, during the service. "He is a big, big man with a big heart and I know he is embracing us all today."
Friends, water polo coaches and Air Force peers shared stories and sentiments beside a display of photos, Cabrillo High School water polo banners (where Argel was a star player), his Bronze Star Medal, and an arrangement of his dog tags, red beret, boots, and upside down rifle, which was crowned with his combat helmet.
Family and friends who addressed the mourners reminisced about Argel's mischievous sense of humor, his dedication and his endless stream of nicknames. Each one praised Argel's kindness, passion, camaraderie, commitment and unique ability to touch people.
"They say players only become great when they make a teammate better," said Jeff Heidmous, Argel's water polo coach at the Air Force Academy. "If this is true in the game of life, then Derek was a world champion."
Argel, who was killed in a plane crash May 30 with three other airmen and an Iraqi pilot northeast of Baghdad, was the first servicemen from Lompoc to die in Iraq. Army Sgt. Mitch Lane, of Lompoc, was killed in Afghanistan in August 2003.
The cause of the crash remains unknown and under investigation, according to military officials. An investigation can take up to three months.
Bastian recalled how her son had wanted to wear the military uniform since he was in the fifth grade, and she read a story Argel wrote as a second-grader describing himself in combat.
"He would walk up to servicemen on the street and say thank you for what you are doing for us," Bastian said.
Friends and peers came from across the country and as far away as Italy to pay their respects. In the first row of seats on the left sat Argel's family, including his wife, Wendy, and baby son, Logan, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla; and his mother, grandmother, stepfather and brother.
On the right side of the aisle sat his "second family," Argel's 23rd Special Tactics Squadron.
Nearly three dozen former water polo teammates lined up behind Cabrillo Athletics Director Bob Lawrence, whom Argel considered a father figure, as Lawrence fought back tears to address Argel's family.
"Each of us need that bond, a brotherhood like this to make us complete," Lawrence said. "We all loved Derek."
Servicemen presented Argel's widow and mother with the Bronze Star Medal that Argel earned with valor during his last three missions, from Feb. 18 until his death. The medal was awarded posthumously.
During those missions, Argel served in multiple roles as director of operations, joint terminal attack controller and landing zone assessment team leader supporting tasks across three continents within United States Central Command, according to the medal citations.
Argel served in Afghanistan, the horn of Africa and Iraq on those missions, said Maj. Mike Flatten, commander of the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron.
Argel died while leading a five-man team to conduct multiple landing zone survey operations 80 miles east of Baghdad in the Diyala province.
Hundreds were expected to attend a personal gathering at his mother's home in Lompoc after the memorial service.
Argel's remains are being held at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, according to Flatten. It is unclear if he will be buried in Lompoc or elsewhere.
Vandenberg Air Force Base provided the honor guard for the service and had an estimated 100 servicemen in attendance. The 389th Fighter Squadron from Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, performed the fly-by. Flags that were flown in the fly-by will be presented to Argel's family at a later date.
In addition to the American flags that were presented, California state troopers presented Argel's widow with a California state flag.
During his service, Argel was selected as a primary joint terminal attack controller for multiple distinguished visitors, including First Lady Laura Bush, the United States Ambassador to Afghanistan and Special Envoy to President George W. Bush.
Friends of Argel have established a trust fund for his son. Contributions can be sent to: Regions Bank, 400 Racetrack Road, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547.
Friday's service followed a similar one held last week at Hurlburt Field in Florida for Argel and the three airmen who died with him.
Staff writer Mark Baylis can be reached at 736-2313, Ext. 105, or by e-mail at mbaylis@pulitzer.net.
Derek Argel's Information Page
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