JBSA-Lackland pararescue training building dedicated to fallen Airman

The pararescue training building at Joint-Base San Antonio-Lackland Medina Annex has always been adorned with the words "these things we do, that others may live," a phrase demonstrating the sacrifices of the Air Force’s premiere special operations rescue branch.

Now, after being dedicated in memory of Tech. Sgt. Michael Flores, the Flores Pararescue Building will have a name to match the motto.

In June 2010, Flores died providing support to British troops during a medical-evacuation mission in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Family, friends and former Air Force teammates honored the fallen pararescueman June 9 during a dedication ceremony.

Flores, 32, joined in 2000 and during his service and 10 deployments, he earned the Distinguished Flying Cross, 11 Air Medals and a Purple Heart, according to military records.

Chief Master Sgt. Ronald Thompson, 37th Training Wing superintendent of Det. 1, oversaw the ceremony.

"Flores was and will always be part of our family," Thompson said. "The legacy that he has left won’t just be looking backwards, but will continue to shape an amazing future that I can’t even imagine."

Renaming the pararescue building is more than a memorial act – it will serve as an inspiration to future PJs as well be a reminder of the sacrifice the Air Force may ask of service members who pass through those doors, Thompson said.

"Putting Flores’s name on a building is a small, small gesture of the love we have for him," Thompson added. "Our past, our present and our future as pararescuemen are embodied in everything that Michael stood for."

Flores was survived by his parents, Emilia and Dr. Leopoldo R. Flores; his wife, Senior Master Sgt. Marisa Flores, 15th Maintenance Group quality assurance superintendent; and his two children, Michael and Eliana Flores, as well as several other family members.

While Marisa is stationed at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, and was unable attend the ceremony, she said in an email that her family remembers Michael every day.

"After he died, people kept telling me about how he was a hero," said Marisa, noting that Flores spoke very little about his missions or awards despite having an accomplished service record. "But he was the kids’ hero and my hero as a dad."

Flores’ parents said their son was like a "guardian angel," protecting the family at home and abroad.

"We’d go on vacation with Michael and never worry; we had a pararescueman with us," Leopoldo said.

"Flores was – and continues to be – a gift to his family and to his combat brothers," Emilia said.

"We lost Michael when he was young," she added. "But I still see him in his children, our grandkids, every day."

As emotional as the ceremony was for Flores’ blood relatives, it was equally so for the Airmen who served alongside him.

In a speech, retired Staff Sgt. Doug Dicken, former pararescueman and pararescue apprentice course instructor at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., gave attendees a glimpse into Flores’ life as a pararescueman.

"He was the calm before a storm," said Dicken before recalling a mission where his team got separated along a river embankment and Flores ended up under duress hundreds of yards away. "When we finally found him, I could see from a hundred yards away that he was smiling, so we knew instantly that he was all right. It calmed us down, just seeing him smiling like that."

Flores might have been "quiet and reassuring," but that didn’t compromise his leadership style.

"He was easygoing, but he was not a pushover," Dicken said. "He ran more than 220 missions and he didn’t like to brag … but he was my hero."

For all of Flores’ awards, deployments and memorials, Dicken said he wanted future pararescue teams to think of the building dedication as a call to action.

"Flores’ reputation might be set in stone, but ours aren’t yet," Dicken noted. "As you go through these doors, remember that Flores is looking down on you – and you owe him nothing less than your best."