A Columbus City Schools grad and fallen Ohio Air National Guard airman killed in action in March was honored by the city and school district with a commemorative street sign outside of Eastmoor Academy High School.
Columbus city and school district leadership were joined Oct. 20 by the family of Tyler Simmons, a Columbus native and a boom operator with the Ohio Air National Guard's 121st Air Refueling Wing. Simmons, 28, was among six service members killed when a KC-135 tanker airplane crashed in western Iraq while participating in an "Operation Epic Fury" mission in March.
During the event, the city unveiled 'Master Sergeant Tyler Simmons Way' at the intersection of Weyant and Plymouth avenues near Eastmoor Academy in the Eastmoor neighborhood.
Ginther also issued the family a proclamation announcing that Oct. 20 would be Master Sergeant Tyler Simmons day in Columbus. Alongside his family and community leaders, hundreds of supporters, former teachers and Eastmoor students attended the event.
Mylo Simmons, Tyler Simmons' father, said in his remarks that the crowd "wasn't there because Tyler died."
"We're here today because he lived," Mylo Simmons said. "And what an extraordinary life he lived."
Simmons said his son was "the greatest gift and joy" he and his mother have ever had, and hoped Eastmoor Academy students can find inspiration in Tyler's legacy as person who's "laughter was contagious, who's love was genuine and determination knew no boundaries."
"Generations of people who may have never had the privilege of knowing our son will see his name, and perhaps they will pause," Mylo Simmons said. "And when you pass the sign ... we hope you will remember more than the name of a fallen American hero. Remember a little boy who grew up in Columbus with big dreams."
Simmons was a 2015 graduate of CCS' Eastmoor Academy High School and was raised in the Berwick community on Columbus' East Side. Simmons was a quarterback for Eastmoor's football team and also ran track. He enlisted for military service in April 2018.
Ginther said that Columbus wanted to honor a man who made the ultimate sacrifice for his community, state and country. He said that the more he has learned about Tyler Simmons, the more inspired he has become by his life.
"He was brave, he loved Columbus, he's a proud Eastmoor Warrior," Ginther said. "And when your city and community is made up of extraordinary human beings, you want to pause and want to take time and celebrate not his death but his life and all he gave to his city."
CCS Superintendent Angela Chapman said that Simmons exemplified the Eastmoor Warriors ethos.
"When people ask who Master Sergeant Tyler Simmons was, we will tell them he was one of us," Chapman said. "He walked these same halls, he had dreams just like ours and he grew up to become a hero."
Simmons was among six service members killed, three of whom were Ohioans. The other two were Capt. Curtis Angst, 30, of Wilmington; and Capt. Seth Koval, 38, of Stoutsville.
The remains of the six crew members first arrived back in the United States on March 18 with a dignified transfer taking place at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. On March 29, their bodies were returned to Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base near Columbus during a private homecoming event for the families.
Curtis, Angst, and Simmons belonged to the 166th Air Refueling Squadron connected to the 121st Air Refueling Wing based at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base near Columbus.
Simmons' funeral was held in April.
Chief Master Sergeant Jeremy Hancock, command chief of the Ohio Air National Guard 121st Air Refueling Wing, said that Simmons was impressive because he achieved the rank of master sergeant so fast, but what stuck out most to him was the bright smile he always carried with him.
"Tyler's mission may be complete, but his legacy continues on," Hancock said. "May we always remember his smile, care for his passions and honor his drive."
Cole Behrens covers K-12 education and school districts in central Ohio. Have a tip? Contact Cole at cbehrens@dispatch.com or connect with him on X at @Colebehr_report
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus, CCS honor fallen airman with street sign outside Eastmoor HS
