Tree dedication remembers three former employees

  • Published
  • By Mark Wyatt
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – Members of Team Hanscom gathered here to remember three deceased former base employees during a tree dedication ceremony at Hanscom Heroes Memorial Park June 16.

The ceremony honored Dana E. Kirane, Dennis Guthrie and retired Tech. Sgt. John Raynes with individual trees and a bronze plaques dedicated in their memory.

“The trees and plaques we dedicate today will stand as a lasting symbol of their lives and achievements,” said Col. Roman L. Hund, installation commander. “Their contributions will never be forgotten.”

Following opening remarks made by Hund, guest speakers spoke about the impacts of the three.

“A memorial tree on Hanscom for my mother is perfect,” said Dana’s son, Joe Kirane. “She loved trees … but she truly loved Hanscom. What she loved most were the people who she worked with.”

Kirane was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, in 1951. She worked at Hanscom from 1974 until her retirement in 2006 as a financial services officer.

Thomas Schluckebier, the director of the 66th Civil Engineering Division, spoke about his former employee, Guthrie.

“Dennie was a dedicated professional who mentored the younger folks in his shop, the less experienced folks,” Schluckebier said. “He made Hanscom a better place. He was one of the people who was part of the fabric of Hanscom.”

Guthrie was born in Ayer, Mass., in 1943. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and served two tours in Vietnam. Guthrie worked for CE as a heating, ventilation and air conditioning technician.

Retired Tech. Sgt. Barry “Bubba” Lafavour remembered Raynes.

“How fitting and somewhat symbolic of our friend that this tree will grow strong and tall,” Lafavour said. Talking about Memorial Park, he added it is, “A place for reflection and to celebrate life and remind us how special and fragile it can be.”

Raynes was born in Salem, Mass., in 1962. He worked for Security Forces, Public Affairs and Civil Engineering during his tenure at Hanscom.

After remarks by guest speakers, family members raised the Hanscom Heroes flag at the entrance of the park.

Family members then unveiled the plaques at the foot of three recently-planted trees in the park.

Hanscom Heroes Memorial Park, which opened in 1991, recognizes late members of the Hanscom community.

“We are here this morning to remember these special individuals who had very unique qualities,” said Bobby Jacques, emcee and organizer of the event. “They each gave of themselves as gifts to us and we in return dedicate a tree and a plaque in their memory.”

With this year’s dedication of the three trees, the park now has 72 trees dedicated to former Hanscom military and civilian personnel.