AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy -- More than 100 Airmen and civilians gathered for the 6th Annual Adam K. Ginett EOD Warrior Foundation Golf Tournament at the Alpine Golf Course, Aug. 19, 2016, at Aviano Air Base, Italy.
The memorial fundraiser honors Tech. Sgt. Adam K. Ginett, who was assigned to the 31st Civil Engineer Squadron and killed in action six years ago during Operation Enduring Freedom near Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan.
“After Ginett was killed in action, the flight decided to start this memorial golf tournament,” said Master Sgt. Michael Breive, 31st CES EOD team leader. “Since its inception, it’s a great way to increase awareness, gather members of the community and raise money for other fallen heroes’ families.”
As participants played hole-to-hole, displays dedicated to fallen EOD warriors showcased their story.
“It was very overwhelming to read the names of all the fallen heroes at each hole,” said Senior Airman Joseph Schmidt, 31st CES EOD technician. “The sacrifices they made will never be forgotten and that’s what this event is all about.”
The event concluded with an awards ceremony celebrating 1st, 2nd and 3rd place teams as well as a golf equipment and EOD memorabilia auction.
All proceeds raised at the event will be donated to the EOD Warrior Foundation.
“The money raised today provides financial assistance and support to EOD warriors and their families, as well as maintains the EOD memorial wall at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida,” said Breive. “We take the community very seriously and make sure our wounded Airmen and families of the fallen are taken care of.”
EOD technicians frequently put their lives on the line when disarming unexploded ordnance. This memorial tournament recognizes more than just Ginett, it recognizes the entire brotherhood of EOD warriors.
“As EOD technicians, we perform a very high risk job,” said Breive. “During Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, we lost a total of 20 EOD technicians in combat, including Adam. Their memories will always live on in the EOD family and this is an opportunity to share their stories with others.”