A memorial service will be held for Maj. Benjamin Meier at 11 a.m., Oct. 9, in Hangar 1810 at 11 a.m. Meier was assigned to the 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron as an F-35 pilot. The service is open to those with base access.

Meier was struck by a vehicle while running on base the morning of Sept. 28. He was taken to Antelope Valley Hospital in Lancaster, Calif., where he succumbed to his injuries Sept. 29. The incident is under investigation.

Meier was a combat veteran who flew missions in the F-16 over Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya before transitioning to the F-35 to fly operational test.

He is survived by his wife, and two sons.

In lieu of flowers, tax deductible donations may benefit the children’s education fund or to help Mrs. Meier offset expenses.

There are two ways to give to the 529. The River Rats, in conjunction with the Air Warrior Courage Foundation (AWCF), have set up the 529 plan to accept tax deductible contributions that will be split between the children’s college education.

1. Go to www.airwarriorcourage.org on the right side click DONATE. Click it and it will take you to a page with a GIVE DIRECT button.  Click it and fill in the blanks. In the COMMENTS block put in “In Memory of Maj Ben “Chex” Meier.”  There are no fees using Visa or Mastercard.  An American Express Card will incur a small transaction fee using this option.
2. Mail a check to the AWCF, P.O. Box 877, Silver Spring, MD 20918.  In a note or on the check say “In Memory of Maj Ben “Chex” Meier.”
   OR
3. Tax deductible charitable donations thru “gofundme” to help Mrs. Meier offset expenses at https://www.gofundme.com/g75hve28.

For more information, call 661-275-4827.

Donald “Smokey Stover
A memorial service will be held Oct. 10 for long-time Team Edwards member Donald “Smokey” Stover who passed away Sept. 25 in Boron. Though he was retired, Stover was well-known for his work at the F-16 Combined Test Force Special Instrumentation Program as well as the Lantrin Program. The service will be held at 2 p.m. at the Boron V.F.W. located at 13101 Boron Ave., Boron, CA, 93516. For more information, call 760-590-1745.