Turtles find art to honor one of their fallen

Published Oct. 22, 2013
By Lt. Col. Ronaldo Christianson
701st Airlift Squadron

JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. -- About a year after fellow Turtle Master Sgt. Dan Daiber died after twice battling cancer, I noticed that Dan's marker was still not in place. Come to find out that Mary Daiber was having a bit of writer's block. After some brainstorming, we came up with a basic idea. Try to incorporate Lt. Col. Bert Bailey's moving "Last Bag Drag" imagery with a 4-ship salute of C-141s and C-17s (Dan flew both).

After noticing the aviation artwork talent of Senior Master Sgt. Darby Perrin in Citizen Airmen Magazine (you can see the article here: http://www.citamn.afrc.af.mil/features/story_print.asp?id=123326436 ), I contacted him and told him about our beloved squadron-mate, Dan Daiber, his beautiful family, his life as a Reservist, and his battle with cancer.

I relayed our ideas about a tribute to him on his gravestone and asked if Darby would allow us to commission him to create this original artwork. I also told him how fellow artist, Bert Bailey, had graciously allowed carte blanche use of his "Last Bag Drag" portrait to be incorporated as needed. The Tinker Air Force Base, Okla. boom operator generously agreed to accommodate us.
The artwork accompanying this article is the result of his creative talents and the ideas Mary wanted as a tribute to her husband. The Airman is walking away from friends and family. He'll be joined by others soon, but he'll not come home from this journey as before. As he humbly walks away, he just begins to notice; approaching him is a formation of 17's and 141's. The C-17 is just beginning to pitch up in salute to a life well lived as a fellow crewmember, squadron buddy, father, friend, son, husband and patriot.

Please consider donating a few dollars to thank Darby Perrin for his tribute created on our behalf. I have asked him many times what amount we could give to commission him for this work but he remains silent on the matter. Let's show the Reserve boom operator from Tinker our gratitude for caring about a project on behalf of people he has never met. I'd ask that you send him a personal e-mail or letter of thanks as well as make a small donation that we'll pass 100% to him (see your LM ARTs). Thank you for your time and consideration.

SMSgt Darby Perrin's info:
Darby@planeart.com www.planeart.com

P.O. Box 45704 - Tinker AFB, OK 73145

(405) 734-9698

Turtles use art to honor one of their fallen