Colorado reserve wing mourns loss of former command chief

by Ann Skarban
302nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs

4/11/2013 - PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Members of the 302nd Airlift Wing mourned the loss of former 302nd AW Command Chief Master Sgt. Suzette Cherry who lost her battle with leukemia in a local Colorado Springs hospital intensive care unit April 7. Cherry passed away with her husband Robert, also a Chief Master Sgt. and daughter by her side.

"With a very heavy heart I send this email to inform you that after courageously fighting cancer and a serious blood infection, Chief Master Sergeant Suzette Cherry passed away today," wrote 302nd AW commander, Col. Jay Pittman in an email to the wing's Reservists on Sunday afternoon. His note also let the members know that Cherry was aware and appreciative of the overwhelming support given by 302nd Airlift Wing members during her illness.

The news of the former 302nd Command Chief Master Sergeant's passing hit the tight-knit reserve family, which Cherry had been a part of for years, extremely hard. It had been only one year ago that Cherry retired from the U.S. Air Force Reserve after 25 years of service. The wing had honored her in a retirement ceremony, April 14, 2012.

During her retirement ceremony, the chief asked her fellow reserve members to "Take care of one another," -- words that are again, most fitting just one year later. Cherry had become a mentor, leader and friend to hundreds throughout her career, and most recently with the approximately 1,500 members of the 302nd AW. Cherry's retirement Meritorious Service Medal citation lauded the leadership she had provided to the wing's enlisted members as well as her expansion of the wing's quarterly and annual awards programs.

"Chief Cherry, you are the most inspirational woman thus far in my AF career, losing you today is such a sad thing. I will remember everything you have taught me and carry you in my career. I know you will always be looking down on me...you are missed and loved," said Staff Sgt. Francine Palmer of the Air Force Reserve Command's 622nd Force Support Squadron, in one of hundreds of social media posts and Facebook tributes to Cherry since Sunday.

Chief Cherry announced her diagnosis and the start of her battle against the disease with a Facebook post to hundreds of friends on March 9. In that post, she asked for prayers, not pity and vowed to fight the disease as best she could.

In addition to serving in the Air Force Reserve, Cherry was a full-time federal civil service employee working as the Director of Staff, Missile Defense Agency Space Systems at Schriever AFB, Colo. She was also a U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet Sponsor and volunteered for several local organizations including the National Museum of World War II Aviation and the Dreamcatchers Equine Rescue.

"Today we lost a great one...it is with great sadness and a heavy heart that we say goodbye to an amazing person. Suzette Rickenbacker Cherry is in peace after a short bout with cancer. Suzette was a very special lady who shared her talents and joy of life with everyone she met. She was a great friend to the museum and all she came across. To say she will be missed by all would be a gross understatement. We send our condolences to Robert, Kyler and her entire family. Godspeed Suzette," said representatives from the National Museum of World War II Aviation.

A memorial service for Cherry is planned for 2 p.m., Sat., April 13 at New Life Church, 11025 Voyager Parkway in Colorado Springs.