Golf tournament remembers fallen Wyvern, raises money for charity

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Eric Donner
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  Approximately 100 Wyverns joined the 31st Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal flight for the annual Adam K. Ginett EOD Warrior Foundation Golf Tournament and Auction at the Alpine Golf Course, Aug. 28, 2015, at Aviano Air Base, Italy.

"Our golf tournament has a dual purpose," said Tech. Sgt. Michael Ault, 31st EOD technician. "We are honoring the memory of Tech. Sgt. Adam Ginett and raising money for the EOD Warrior Foundation."

Tech. Sgt. Adam K. Ginett was an EOD technician with the 31st CES when he was killed by an improvised explosive device near Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan, Jan. 19, 2010.

"When the military loses a military member, it is sad, but the time of grief ends pretty quickly," said Ault. "However, it doesn't end for the family and friends left behind. That is what this memorial tournament does; it keeps the memory of Adam alive and in a way keeps him alive at the same time."

The tournament also honors more than just Adam's memory since each hole of the course is dedicated to the memory of other EOD technicians who lost their lives in the line of duty.

According to Ault, the more than $12,000 in proceeds from the golf tournament, silent auction and golf challenges was donated to the EOD Warrior Foundation.

"The money we raise here will help make the life of a fallen EOD member's family easier or help an EOD technician that was wounded during his tour overseas," said Ault.

According to the EOD Warrior Foundation, it provides support to active-duty and veteran wounded, injured or ill EOD warriors, and families of wounded and fallen EOD warriors.  It also provides emergency financial relief, educational assistance, hope and wellness resources, and provides care for the EOD Memorial.

"Because we are such a small career field, it's very likely we have all worked together at some point in our career," said Ault. "A foundation like this really helps out the families and the individuals who've been wounded or who lost their lives. It is important to give back to the families because they never really leave the career field."

The EOD Warrior Foundation is a non-profit organization. No federal endorsement or sponsorship is intended.