Page 5 - Luke AFB Thunderbolt, July 7 2017

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Bryant Fitness Center rededicated in honor of fallen Airman
Story and photo by Airman 1st Class ALEXANDER COOK
56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
It has been more than five years since Team Luke officially renamed its fitness center the “Bryant Fitness Center” in honor of fallen Airman, Lt. Col. Frank Bryant Jr. Today, Thunder- bolts, family and friends attended the Bryant Fitness Center’s Grand Open- ing Ceremony rededicating its name in his honor.
On April 27, 2011, Lt. Col. Frank Bryant Jr. was among the nine Air- men killed during a shooting incident at the Afghan Command and Control Center in the Afghanistan air force headquarters, North Kabul Interna- tional Airport. He passed away from injuries sustained by gunshot wounds.
Well known by his family and fellow pilots as “Bruiser,” Bryant was a pilot assigned to the 56th Operations Group with more than 3,000 flying hours, 121 in combat. He was also a well-known wrestler for the United States Air Force Academy team, becoming the MVP in his time there.
In attendance at the June 27 cer- emony was his widow, Janice Bryant, along with their 7-year-old son, Sean Luke. Mrs. Bryant spoke of her grati-
tude and appreciation for the rededica- tion ceremony.
“It’s an honor for our family to be here during this rededication cer- emony,” Bryant said. “For me, Luke is a place where we can always come back to because it feels like home.”
Sean Luke was just 2-years-old when his father passed away. Now, five years later, Bryant feels as though he can truly understand how much of an impact his father made on his peers.
“I’m very grateful for the fact that this is somewhere my son can see a lasting tribute of his father,” Bryant said. “He can walk into the gym and see his father’s picture and know that he was a hero.”
Also in attendance was retired Air Force Col. James McCune, commander of the 310th Fighter Squadron from 2008-2010, who worked with Bryant.
“There are three things I think about when it comes to Bruiser,” McCune said. “I think about his integrity, drive and humor. He was a wonderful guy who made everyone around him bet- ter, and I can’t think of a better place to dedicate him other than this gym.”
During the ceremony, Brig. Gen. Brook Leonard, 56th Fighter Wing commander, spoke about the legacy of
See BRyANT, Page 23
Brig. Gen. Brook Leonard, 56th Fighter Wing commander, assists 7-year-old Sean Luke, son of Frank Bryant Jr., in cutting the ribbon during Bryant Fitness Center’s Grand Opening Cer- emony June 27, 2017, at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. During the ceremony, the fitness center rededicated its name in honor of Frank Bryant Jr., an Airman who made the ultimate sacrifice for his country.
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