A great Czech experience Published March 31, 2008 By Master Sgt. Matthew Morgan 819th Global Support Squadron McGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, N.J. -- I am a very spiritual person. I fully believe everything happens for a reason. When something happens, whether it is good or bad, I always think the result is for a greater meaning or purpose. During my recent trip to the Czech Republic, I was contemplating why I was lucky enough to be selected to go on the trip. Halfway into the deployment, I realized why I was selected. I experienced something that will stay with me long after I retire from the Air Force. Once I found out I was going to be the team chief, I started the normal coordination process with the Defense Attaché Office at the embassy in Prague. I was contacted by Col. Jeffery Holachek, the Army attaché. After we finalized the arrival times and what we needed, I e-mailed the colonel to see what the chances were of doing a community-relations event with an orphanage or school. He replied back saying it was a nice offer, and he'd see if anything could be arranged. I was leery of asking because I didn't know how the locals would view it culturally or if anything like that would be possible. The anticipated workload was not too busy, and I wanted all team members to remain focused during the down time. Two weeks into the deployment, Colonel Holachek contacted me to see if we wanted to lay a wreath at a local memorial for a U.S. World War II pilot. I said we would be honored. He didn't give me much information on the pilot, so I went on the Internet and started my search. It was a difficult and lengthy research process, as I was not given the pilot's name or circumstances of his shoot down. Eventually, after multiple tries, I came across a few entries. The most information I could find was the pilot's name, age, and when he was shot down; 2nd Lt. William L. Kiggins, 21 years old, shot down Oct. 11, 1944. Two days before the wreath lying, I was contacted by Senior Master Sgt. Scott Reuter from the DAO. He told me the embassy made the arrangements for the wreath, and he also contacted the mayor's office of the local district where the memorial was. He said the mayor's office was going to send an interpreter for us. As I briefed the rest of the team, I told them I didn't exactly know what to expect. I told them, at a minimum, to press their uniforms, polish their boots, and we would probably form up and salute at some time. The day of the wreath laying the interpreter, whose name was Pavla, met us at our hotel and drove with us to the florist and the memorial site. The memorial was next to a church in the Slatina district of Brno. Once we arrived, we parked the car and got out. We stood around not really knowing what to expect or who else was there. Pavla escorted us to meet the mayor and deputy mayor of Slatina. She also introduced us to a few historians from the area and one or two museum curators. I did not know why the historians or the curators were there at the time and not until later did I completely understand. In total, including us, there were about 20 to 30 people in attendance. The wreath laying occurred, and we remained flexible. We formed up and stood at parade rest while the mayor said a few things. I also said a few words. After the speeches were over, I called our small group to attention, presented arms, and together the mayor and I laid the wreath. Afterward, we stood around shaking hands and talking with the historians. This is where the most memorable part of the experience will stay with me. As I was standing around, Pavla introduced me to a 90-year-old woman who watched the ceremony from behind us. Pavla told me her name was Ms. Stepankova, and as a 12-year-old girl, she witnessed Lieutenant Kiggins' get shot down. Through Pavla, she told me Lieutenant Kiggins' airplane was hit by German anti-aircraft artillery fire and crashed in a field near her home. She ran to the field and was the first one at the crash site. As she came upon the debris, she found Lieutenant Kiggins' body and held his hand, but he was already dead. It was not until later she realized Lieutenant Kiggins had been decapitated. I stood in awe as I was told this story through Pavla; Ms. Stepankova stared at the ground reliving what she witnessed more than 60 years ago. Tears began to well in my eyes as I realized this young girl was acting as Lieutenant Kiggins' wife or mother, trying to comfort him as only they could. Complete strangers brought together by the horrible happenings of war. I thought, through all that madness, humanity triumphed over evil. I kept saying thank you to her, as I was totally speechless and overwhelmed by what she did for one of our own. As I kept searching for words, Ms. Stepankova's son, who was accompanying her, reached from behind his back and gave us a plastic bag with two boxes. Later I realized the most delicious cookies I've ever tasted were inside the box. Ms. Stepankova made them for us. I kept saying thank you, but felt and still feel any thanks I expressed was inadequate for what she has done for us. Afterward, we went to a local restaurant and had a chance to speak with the historians; that's when I received the last of the details. Lieutenant Kiggins was assigned to the 308th Fighter Squadron, 31st Fighter Group, 15th Air Force. He took off from San Severo, Italy, in his P-51B, 43-24854, nicknamed Miss Betty. After he was shot down, the Germans, with help from the local police, blocked off the area and the burnt body of Lieutenant Kiggins was turned over to the local mortuary for burial. He was buried in the cemetery behind the church where the memorial is. Originally, he was buried in an unmarked grave; the locals placed candles in his memory. In 1946, the U.S. Army graves registration personnel exhumed his remains and, he was sent to be buried in St. Avold, France. Eventually in the 1950's, his family asked to have his remains returned to his home of Toledo, Ohio, where he is currently buried. In 2006, the local historical club came up with the initiative to construct a memorial for the pilot. At the same time, they decided to go back to the crash site to try and recover any debris left from the aircraft. Over the next few days they discovered multiple pieces of aircraft to include .50 caliber machine gun rounds, a few data plates and the engine transducer. They also came across some more skeletal remains that were not buried. They were repatriated at the end of 2007 around the time of the dedication of the memorial. As I think back about this experience, I am so glad I was able to be a part of it. I still get a little "shaky" when I think of what Ms. Stepankova did. As a parent, I would hope if something like that ever happened to my son or daughter there is another Ms. Stepankova out there. I am also glad the young Airman who was deployed was able to experience this. I hope for him, as it is for me, wearing the U.S. Air Force patch puts into perspective what it's like to serve in the greatest Air Force in the world.