Katie’s Grove remains a place to remember

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Michael Durham
  • 9th Air Refueling Squadron
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Every day since 9/11, Airmen have put themselves in harm's way in support of the Global War on Terror. Every day since 9/11, families have supported those warriors while at home and abroad.

This is not a story of a deployed warrior, it is a story of Catherine "Katie" Powell. Who is Katie Powell? She is a rose in a warrior's heart who will never be forgotten. We, at Travis, remember.

In 2006, 10-year-old Katie Powell was battling Ewing's sarcoma, a rare bone disease. Katie, her mother, and her father, Chief Master Sergeant Chris Powell, did not go through this battle alone. They belong to a community that few ever belong to. They belong to a community that serves a greater cause. They belong to a community that selflessly sacrifices time, sweat, and blood. Most importantly, they belong to a community that chooses to remember. They belong to the Travis family.

Chris Powell was a member of the 60th Operations Group. He was a boom operator, Airman and leader of enlisted aircrew. Every day, he worked alongside his extended family. When his extended family saw what he was going through, they sprang into action.

On March 6, 2006, after extensive fundraising Air Force wide, one of Katie's lifelong wishes was granted. She, with family in tow, was sent to Alaska to see the start of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race and meet a racer. Not only did she meet a racer, but went on a training ride prior to the start.

Three months later, she was named the 60th OG's pilot for a day. She received a flight suit and patches prior to launching her mission. She went to the air traffic control tower, aircrew flight equipment and even flew a KC-10A Extender boom operator trainer. At the end of the day, she was asked what she wanted to be when she grew up. She promptly stated, "A boom operator."

In the summer of 2006, the Travis community lost one of its most precious warriors and family member. Shortly after being Travis AFB's first pilot for a day, Katie died. Her story did not, nor will not end there. Travis remembers.

The KC-10 tanker community wanted to find a way to continue to show its support and love for Katie. The decision was made to erect a small memorial at the Travis Duck Pond. A small grove with a bench, budding flowers and four small trees now sits on the North end. A plaque was placed on the bench dedicating the grove to Katie.

This garden is still tended by the Travis KC-10A community. On Aug.19, just more than years after Katie died, members of the air refueling squadrons planted new trees, laid mulch and trimmed the surrounding hedges.

Quietly reflecting on the significance, the volunteers discussed their choice in flower, Master Sgt. Taras Bates said, "A girl her age would have liked pink."

Katie's grove is just another way for us to remember.