Wednesday, 06 March, 2002; Raleigh, NC A Pope AFB was one of seven military men killed in Afghanistan when their helicopters were fired upon, Pentagon officials said yesterday.
The remains of Tech Sergeant John A. Chapman, 32, of Waco, Texas, and those of the others killed Monday when Al Quieda and Taliban fighters fired on U.S. helicopters were brought Tuesday to a base in Rammstein, Germany, heading for the United States. Chapman, raised in Windsor Locks, Conn., joined the Air Force in 1985. He was a combat controller who had received two Air Force Commendation medals.
Lori McQueeney, an older sister who still lives in town, said her family always knew he could be killed in action.
"We knew it was a possibility, but you never think it's going to happen to you," McQueeney said.
Niccolas Giaccone, Chapman's stepfather, told the (Manchester Conn.) Journal-Inquirer on Tuesday that military officials informed him and his family of Chapman's death at 10:30 P.M. on Monday.
Lisa Hawes, a friend of the Chapman family, told the newspaper that Chapman had a wife, Valerie, and two daughters, ages 5 and 3.
A man who answered the telephone at a number in Fayetteville, N.C. registered to John Chapman declined to discuss the report and referred questions to Pope officials.
A memorial service is planned for later this week in North Carolina.
