WINCHESTER, Va. — Members of B shift of the West Virginia Air National Guard 167th Airlift Wing’s fire department said Thursday they’re choosing to remember their fallen brother, Staff Sgt. Logan Young, in a different way than when they last saw him.
Young, 30, was honored in a Thursday evening funeral service at Victory Church in Winchester, Virginia. He died Dec. 27 while fighting a barn fire in Berkeley County. The Guard fire department was providing mutual aid that night when a beam fell on Young claiming his life. Investigators have determined the fire was intentionally set.
B shift Lt. Michael Frye said just a few hours earlier at the shift Christmas party Young was dressed up like Santa Claus.
“The most amazing dreadlocked Santa Claus you’ve ever seen showed up with a secret gift for the entire shift,” Frye said. “The image of this low-key laid-back guy cracking jokes with a huge smile is how we remember our brother.”
Frye said it was Logan at his best. He said his fellow firefighter would be at his professional best just a few hours later. He said he had prepared for that moment.
“He had studied, asked countless questions, trained and pushed and had fully understood what this calling meant to him. Most importantly on shift we trusted each other without hesitation. He was our brother because he earned it,” Frye said.
Items that marked Young’s life surrounded his flag-draped casket including a Pittsburgh Steelers football jersey, red motorcycle and a number of boxes of Nike sneakers. His obituary said he had one pair for every day of the year.
167th Airlift Wing Chaplain Ron Faith told Young’s family and friends gathered for Thursday’s funeral that Young was a member of special community.
“For firefighters it’s crucial that when you face the fire your brothers have your back,” Faith said.
He read from Psalm 23, one of Young’s favorite sections of scripture.
The 167th Airlift Wing is planning a memorial service for March.
Among Young’s survivors are his parents and his fiancée.
The state Fire Marshal’s Office and state police are continuing their criminal investigation into who set the fire that claimed Young’s life.