Base to hold memorial dedication service

  • Published
  • By J.C. Corcoran
  • 66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
HANSCOM AFB, Mass. --  Three heroes will be inducted into Hanscom Heroes Memorial Park during a ceremony Aug. 3 at 10 a.m. in the large gazebo behind the base clinic in Memorial Park. 

The park was created in 1991 to serve as a living monument to deceased members of the Hanscom community. The three men who will be memorialized this year will bring the number of individuals honored in the park to 59. 

"Each of the individuals whose lives and accomplishments we honor and recognize today played integral roles that contributed to the mission success of the Electronic Systems Center," said Bobby Jacques, 66th Air Base Wing Executive Services chief and program coordinator. 

Bronze plaques displaying the names of Napoleon "Billy" Burton Jr., Michael Gaynor and retired Col. John E. Jenner Jr. will be placed in the park and a tree will be dedicated to each man. The event is open to the entire Hanscom community. 

"This dedication ceremony is a way for our community here to say thanks and to let their families know they will always be remembered," Mr. Jacques said.

Napoleon "Billy" Burton Jr. 
Mr. Burton worked as a systems communications quality assurance evaluator for the 66th Mission Support Group before his death on Aug. 7, 2005. 

Mr. Burton was born in Memphis, Tenn. on Sept. 19, 1944. He served in the Vietnam War and retired from active-duty service after 24 years. 

Michael Gaynor 
Mr. Gaynor, who died Jan. 18, 2007, was employed as the Electronic Systems Center Comptroller Office program control chief. 

Mr. Gaynor devoted most of his federal career supporting the Air Force -- especially the Electronic Systems Center. 

An avid golfer who enjoyed making his own clubs, Mr. Gaynor grew up in Marlborough, Mass., but called Bolton, Mass., home. 

Col. John E. Jenner Jr.
Colonel Jenner served at Hanscom from January 2000 until his death in 2006. 

Following his retirement from the Army, he served as the ESC Inspector General's Office deputy inspector.

He began his military career in 1964 as a private in the U.S. Army and later applied to attend Infantry Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Ga. He was selected and received his commission in September of 1969. 

He retired at the rank of Colonel after a military career spanning 34 years, most of which he spent serving on active duty with the Massachusetts Army National Guard.