Community to salute military fallen

Sisters will gather to honor the fallen of America’s wars on Monday, May 29.

American Legion Post 86, Sisters Band of Brothers, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8138 will host Memorial Day ceremonies at the Village Green at 11 a.m. Traditional observances include posting of the colors and a presentation of a wreath in honor of the war dead.

This year’s keynote speaker is Ed Owens, a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.

Owens was born September 17, 1969, in Pasco, Washington, enlisted in 1987, and entered the Air Force in August 1988.

Following technical training, he was assigned to the 341st Security Police Squadron, Malmstrom AFB, MT, where he served as a Priority A entry controller, alarm and control center (BISS) operator, deployed to Operations Desert Storm and Shield as part of a Command Element. During his six- year assignment to Malmstrom, Owens was the Base Airman of the Year and Strategic Air Command (SAC) Airman of the Year (1991). After six years active duty, Owens transferred to the Reserves.

He joined the 446th Security Forces Squadron, USAFR, in August 1994. Owens was mobilized after September 11, 2001, deploying to March Air Reserve Base, 4th Air Force Headquarters to provide force protection. He later participated in two combat deployments; one to Saudi Arabia, where he helped establish a joint Saudi Arabian and U.S. patrol section, and to Qatar, where he provided dignitary protection during the 2002 Eagle Resolve Exercise.

In 2003, he was promoted to First Sergeant. In 2006, he was deployed to Kirkuk, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

First Sergeant Owens retired from the Air Force Reserves in 2009. His civilian career was in law enforcement for 23 years. He is currently vice president of the Grief Recovery Institute, an organization founded by the late John James, who lived in Sisters. Owens is responsible for training therapists, counselors, and health professionals internationally to deal with grief and loss. He specializes in working with veterans and first responders and their families who have experienced grief, trauma, and loss.

(Editor’s note: This story was edited to include Sisters Band of Brothers as a host of observances).