Nellis renames Airmen's Center to honor fallen Airman Published July 14, 2009 By Airman 1st Class Michael Charles 99th Air Base Wing Public Affairs Office NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- The Nellis Airmen's Center was renamed during a ceremony July 13, which honored the first Nellis Airman killed in combat operations after the 9/11 attacks. The new Samek Airmen's Center was renamed, in honor of Airman 1st Class Jesse M Samek, a 66th Rescue Squadron flight engineer who died while deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. "I was surprised to learn Nellis was going to remember him in such a way," said Mrs. Julia Samek, the mother of Airman Samek. "He was pretty quiet kid but he would have been honored to have the building renamed after him. He would have had pride that he could make a difference; almost as much pride as I have, to have been his mother." The Samek Airmen's Center is a recreation center near the on-base dormitories, where junior enlisted Airmen can gather for relaxation and camaraderie. The Airmen's Center is an alcohol-free area, equipped with a game room, theater room, music room, library, kitchen area, café, and wireless internet. The Base Chapel oversees the Airmen's Center and works to provide Airmen with a safe and healthy recreational area. "The renaming of a building can never replace the life of a brave individual who has sacrificed everything in the name of freedom, said Chaplain (Capt.) Craig Nakagawa. Hopefully this memorial serves as a place where Airman can come relax and remember all the people that afforded them the opportunity to enjoy the basic freedoms that we sometimes take for granted." Airman Samek was killed in a helicopter crash on Oct. 20, 2004, while participating in a rescue mission to save a wounded election worker in Afghanistan. He was born in 1983 in O'Fallon, Mo. and graduated from Rogers High School in Rogers Ark. in 2001. He later attended the University of Arkansas for one year before deciding to join the Air Force. Airman Samek joined the Air Force in February 2003.
