Memorial Service Held for Fallen Airman

by Staff Sgt. Susan L. Davis
319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

7/31/2013 - GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Friends and family gathered at the Prairie Rose Chapel here July 30 to pay respects to the memory of Tech. Sgt. Matthew Hullman, 319th Medical Operations Squadron.

"Last week, we lost one of our warriors," said Lt. Col. Brett Nishikawa, 319th Medical Operations Squadron commander. "We are diminished for having lost him, yet we are far better for having known him."

Hullman was declared dead following a shooting incident on base July 21. That incident remains under investigation.

The ceremony began with a photo slideshow of Hullman, his family and friends.

Chaplain (Capt.) Ruben Covos sang the National Anthem and offered an opening prayer, followed by Nishikawa's remarks.

Hullman was remembered for his sense of humor, his talent for Texas Hold 'Em poker, and his dedication to duty, but above all he was remembered for his devotion as a father.

Hullman was born in Omaha, Neb., and grew up in Shenandoah, Iowa, and San Antonio. He graduated from William H. Taft High School in San Antonio.

He enlisted in the Air Force in the fall of 1996 as an aerospace medical apprentice and attended technical training at Brooks AFB, Texas. He later joined the public health career field.