535th Airlift Squadron Auditorium rededicated to fallen Airman

by Tech. Sgt. Terri Paden
15th Wing Public Affairs

3/28/2014 - JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii  -- The 535th Airlift Squadron auditorium was officially renamed the Hollister Auditorium in a dedication ceremony on JBPHH March 28.

The room was named after fallen comrade, Staff Sgt. Robert "Danny" Hollister, a loadmaster assigned to the 535th AS, who lost his life in the line of duty March 13, 2012, while participating in Exercise COPE TIGER in Udon Thani, Thailand.

During the ceremony, Hollister was recognized for flying more than 2, 500 hours, including 300 combat hours, while flying more than 550 sorties in his six-year tenure with the unit and the Air Force.

"We did this dedication to honor his memory and show his family that his legacy will live on," said Capt. Rush Taylor, 15th Operations Support Squadron wing training chief. "We want his family to know how amazing of a person Danny was and this is one way to do that."

Hollister was remembered as an "outstanding NCO and loadmaster" by the more than 75 of his friends, family and co-workers in attendance.

Lt. Col. Patrick Winstead, former 535th AS commander, described Hollister as the "cream of the crop," during his tribute, saying, "He was a great American, great loadmaster, great Airman and great man."

Winstead said professionally, Hollister was his go-to Airman when he needed things done, but he was also a "good guy."

"He cared about everyone, he loved his family, he loved his heritage ... he loved people," he said.

As Winstead reminisced about his time working as Hollister's squadron commander, he told the audience several accounts of Hollister's selfless acts of service and dedication to duty.

Hollister was also remembered by his father, Tony Robert Hollister, who flew to JBPHH with his wife, Ann-Marie Hollister and daughter Toni-Marie Hollister to attend the ceremony.

"It is a great honor and privilege to be a part of this momentous occasion," he said. "To be here where my son sacrificed for our freedoms is an honor. Speaking on behalf of my wife and daughters we express our deepest heartfelt thanks."

Though Hollister distinguished himself as exceptional Airman, he is also remembered for being a good friend.

"He was a lot of fun ... always smiling, always very joyful ... kind of like a big kid,"said Staff Sgt. Keith Roscoe, a loadmaster assigned to the 535th AS and long-time friend of Hollister.

Roscoe said it will be "awesome" to walk past the newly dedicated auditorium and remember his friend, but the best part about it, he said, will be the legacy left for his two children.

"I think about his boys walking into the auditorium or walking down the halls of the squadron and seeing the plaques," he said. "Every time they see a flight suit or a 535th patch they will think of their dad, and so, we're all representing Danny in that way."