For the first time since their son’s death, the parents of U.S. Air Force Maj. Alex Klinner spoke Monday, May 25 about how they’re remembering their son after he was killed in action two weeks after the start of the Iran war.
) - For the first time since their son’s death, the parents of U.S. Air Force Maj. Alex Klinner spoke Monday, May 25 about how they’re remembering their sonThe Fultondale Event Center was packed on Memorial Day as American Legion Post 255 honored fallen soldiers from the area.
For John and Mary Ellen Klinner, sitting in the front row for the ceremony, this somber day took on a new meaning. Their son was among three service members from the 99th Air Refueling Squadron being honored and remembered for their recent sacrifice.when their KC-135 plane crashed in western Iraq while flying in support of Operation Epic Fury in the Iran war.
“I mean, the worst nightmare you can ever imagine,” Mary Ellen Klinner said of losing her son. “We pray a lot, we cry a lot, but this is something that will never go away,” said John Klinner, Maj. Klinner’s father.
“It will get better with time, but it will never go away. ” The Klinners said they were moved by Fultondale’s Memorial Day ceremony. Since their son’s death, they said they have been touched by the support and fellowship they’ve recieved from Maj. Klinner’s brothers in arms.
Major Alex Klinner was among three service members of the 99th Air Refueling Squadron honored at a Memorial Day ceremony hosted by American Legion Post 255 in Fultondale, AL. Maj. Klinner was one of six service members who died when their plane crashed in Iraq in March of 2026, two weeks after the start of the Iran war.
“There were a few moments of sadness there,” John Klinner said of Monday’s ceremony, his eyes red and still brimming with tears. “But just being around all the people that were here made it easier, a lot easier, to get through this. ” “It’s very hard though,” added Mary Ellen, “to see your son honored for the reasons that he’s being honored. ” “I got a chance to fly with them several times,” recalled Maj.
Klinner’s commanding officer, Lt. Col. Chad Murray.
“And when I tell you that these were some of the best, it is not a stretch. These were truly the standard bearers of our unit. Some of the finest that we had, that we sent out the door. ” As accomplished as they were in their military service, Murray said Maj.
Klinner and his squad mates from the 99th Air Refueling Squadron should be remembered for much more than their time in uniform. Major Alex Klinner recently deployed in support of Operation Epic Furry when his KC-135 plane crashed in western Iraq last week while serving his country. Klinner was among 6 airmen killed. He served in the Air Force for 8 years.
“This was just one chapter,” said Murray. “These are mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters. And they have so much more outside of this, outside of uniform, that makes them who they are. We were fortunate to share just one chapter of their life with them.
” Those other chapters of Maj. Klinner’s life are cherished now by his parents, widow, and three young children who now mourn future plans that won’t come to pass, but carry on his memory as a “go-getter” and servant leader.
“He was always, always helping others. And we didn’t always know,” said John Klinner.
“But when this happened, we talked to so many of his friends and we learned things about him that we just didn’t know. He always put everybody else before himself. ” “You teach them values and morals when they’re at home in hopes that when they flee the nest, that they will carry those with them,” said Mary Ellen Klinner.
“And you don’t know until something like this happens, and people are describing your son the way they saw him. ”Woman dies after being hit by loose umbrella while eating at restaurantWoodland Creek Memorial Day 5K held in Pike Road
Parents Iran War Operation Epic Fury Alabama Pilot Major Alex Klinner Memorial Day Fultondale WBRC Shane Trail WBRC 6 Fox 6 Myfoxal News We The People U.S. Air Force Maj. Alex Klinner Killed In Action American Legion Post 255 John Klinner Mary Ellen Klinner 99Th Air Refueling Squadron Cpt. Ariana Savino Technical Sgt. Ashley Pruitt KC-135 Western Iraq Lt. Col. Chad Murray
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