Today, January 5, 2021, marked one year since Al Shabaab militants ran over a US Army base in Manda Bay, killing three American soldiers in the process.
Dustin Harrison, a private contractor, was among the three soldiers who lost their lives during the attack.
Arizona based media outlet Fox10 Phoenix, on January 4, 2021, reported that the veteran's family; wife Hope Harrison and three-year-old daughter Heaven Aviana, were given a special flight to honour his legacy.
"It was beautiful to be up there and see what my husband would see every day. It was heartbreaking and to see that he’s all over, he’s everywhere," Ms Harrison was quoted as saying.
The publication reported that Ms Harrison was awarded a Gold Star Widow Flight.
"I’m very honoured and humbled to be able to come out here with Tony and their crew. They are amazing people. Their mission is beautiful, so I’m very humbled and honoured that they asked myself and my daughter to come out here and enjoy this to honour my husband," Ms Harrison remarked.
The flight was organised by a non-profit organisation Ground No More Inc, which awards veterans and gold star families with flights in their historic World War II aircraft.
Ground No More Inc's President Tony Anger was drawn to the family by what they have been through and took it upon himself to reward them for Harrison's service.
"I saw what they were going through and thought this would be a nice way to have a memorial flight for Dustin and have her beautiful daughter join us. She wants to be a pilot when she grows up even at three-years-old," Anger was quoted as saying.
Ms Harrison in her tribute revealed that the ceremony had brought her closer to her late husband.
Dustin piloted a twin-engine Beechcraft King Air 350 with sensors for aerial survey while he was based at Manda Bay. It was reported that he passed on seven days before he was to quit the service.
"I'm the wife of a hero and I will live to honour him. I will raise our daughter in honour of him just because of the special person he is," Ms Harrison stated.
{"preview_thumbnail":"/files/styles/video_embed_wysiwyg_preview/public/video_thumbnails/Ug4JL6X9_2E.jpg?itok=tmEbjIMv","video_url":"","settings":{"responsive":1,"width":"854","height":"480","autoplay":0},"settings_summary":["Embedded Video (Responsive)."]}
