Hurlburt celebrates lives of couple killed in accident

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Mareshah Haynes
  • 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  The flag flew at half staff Sept. 8, as members of Team Hurlburt mourned the loss of two members of the Air Force family at a memorial ceremony at Commando Hangar.

More than 1,000 Airmen and civilians gather to remember Tech. Sgt. Daniel , 1st Special Operations Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, and Staff Sgt. Erin Schoen, 1st Special Operations Medical Operations Squadron, who were killed in an accident, Aug. 31, near their Navarre home.

The Schoens, who shared a passion for body-building, life and each other, were walking their family dogs when they were struck by a vehicle the evening of Aug. 31.

The couple is survived by their four children, parents, brothers and sisters.

The memorial service opened with the National Anthem and a prayer by Chaplain (Capt.) Christopher Watson, where he let Team Hurlburt know, "It's OK to cry."

"Our hearts have cried out this week, seeking wisdom, seeking answers," he said.

Following the prayer and a rendition of the hymn "Amazing Grace", Staff Sgt. Rob Edmonds, a friend of the Schoens, reflected on the good times he had with Daniel and Erin. 

He shared a funny anecdote about how he and another co-worker went about making Daniel Schoen a house-hold name around the world.

"My best friend and I were aboard when we got to a compartment in the back where people had signed their names and written messages to other servicemembers," Edmonds said. "We didn't want to put our names up there, in case we got in trouble, so we decided to forever immortalize Dan Schoen on the back of that ship that day."

Edmonds said a few weeks later a Soldier asked Dan when he had been aboard the USS Alabama. Dan replied he had never been on the ship and asked the Soldier why he would ask such a question. The Soldier explained he'd seen his name on the ship, and from there the name Daniel Schoen grew in popularity among his co-workers.

Edmonds and friends printed 500 labels with Dan's name on them and stuck them on surfaces everywhere they went.

Now there are Dan Schoens all across the U.S. and Middle East, Edmonds said.

Even during this emotional and sad time, friends of Dan and Erin were able to remember the fun times and see the good the couple lent to the world, even in their passing.

"To those who knew her best, it comes as no surprise that Erin was an organ donor," said Lt. Col. Michael Spilker, 1 SOMDOS commander, during Erin's eulogy. "Her gift has already profoundly impacted two families. The first is of an active-duty member on the transplant waiting list at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Erin's gift of a new kidney has freed him from dialysis and given him a new lease on life." 

"The second, a seven-year-old girl who only had 48 hours to live," Spilker said. "She was the recipient of Erin's liver."

Erin saved lives even in the closing chapter of her own, Spilker said. 

Both Daniel and Erin were presented medals posthumously for their dedication and service the Air Force and their country.

Full military honors were rendered, including a 21-gun salute, the playing of Taps and the presentation of the U.S. flag, one each for Dan and Erin, to their families.

The Schoen Family Fund has been established at Eglin Federal Credit Union for those who would like to contribute.