‘It stays with you forever,’ VFW extends support for Ohio servicemen killed overseas

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — For millions of veterans and active service members across Ohio, time stood still following a deadly refueling crash in Iraq that claimed the lives of six U.S. servicemembers.

Among those killed were Capt. Seth Koval of Fairfield County, Capt. Curtis Angst, and Master Sgt. Tyler Simmons of Columbus, assigned to the 121st Air Refueling Wing at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base.

They, along with three members of the 6th Air Refueling Wing from MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, were killed when a KC-135 refueling aircraft crashed in Iraq.

The base is deeply familiar to retired Army Colonel Rick Curry, a Quartermaster with Ohio’s Veterans of Foreign War.

“When you lose somebody under your command, it stays with you forever,” Curry told ABC 6 Thursday.

Master Sgt. Simmons. Simmons has several relatives a part of the Whitehall VFW chapter, according to VFW.

“They were shocked, his parents are devastated,” Curry said. “The young man looked like he had a promising career.”

As the community mourns, local VFW members are emphasizing their mission: ‘No one does more for Veterans.’

“You may not support the war, but you need to support the veterans,” Curry said. “We need to support the ones who are protecting us.”

The VFW is in the process of setting up a relief fund to directly assist the families of the fallen servicemen based in Ohio. The VFW was founded in 1899 in Columbus. It was established by veterans to secure rights and benefits for returning soldiers who lacked medical care and support.

ABC 6 asked Curry if he believed the support for veterans was strong enough in Central Ohio.

“We have many systems in place that support us, but some are better than others,” he responded. “We have a very good VA here in Columbus. The emotional support is never enough. Many veterans have seen or done a lot of things that they keep inside. And you just don’t have enough avenues sometimes.”

The Ohio Air National Guard confirmed the servicemen’s remains could be transferred back to Ohio within the next few weeks. Plans for a ceremony at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base are still being finalized.

Click here to support the VFW and its efforts to assist the Koval, Angst, and Simmons families.