A10 News Blue Mountain Eagle Wednesday, April 19, 2017 STAFF SGT. AUSTIN BIEREN January 7, 1992 – March 28, 2017 EO Media Group/Jayati Ramakrishnan Two servicemen, carrying a flag and the ashes of Staff Sgt. Austin Bieren, lead Bieren’s family into the Umatilla High School gym for his memorial service Saturday. Memories of fallen airman Bieren shared at service “As you got to know him, he opened up,” Mosher said. “And once he trusted you, he’d do anything for taff Sgt. Austin Bieren was honored Sat- you — but you had to earn his trust.” urday at a memorial service at Umatilla Mosher said Bieren had considered playing High School, the school where he grad- college football, but recalled when he told his uated seven years ago. coach that he’d changed his mind. Bieren, 25, an airman for the U.S. Air “He said he wanted to be part of some- Force, died March 28 in Syria, in a non-com- thing greater than himself, something elite,” bat related incident of natural causes. He was Mosher said. “That’s who he was.” there as part of Operation Bieren’s grandmother Inherent Resolve against the also spoke at the service, terrorist group ISIS. noting that the last time she According to Rose Gu- spoke to her grandson, he dex, a public affairs offi cer asked her to pray for him. with the Petersen Air Force “If I live to be 100, noth- Base where Bieren was ing will ever make me hap- stationed, Bieren collapsed pier than that,” she said. while exercising, and was Other family members given immediate medi- and friends spoke about fun cal care but died before he times they’d had with Bi- could be medically evacu- eren, and most mentioned ated. his penchant for mischief Saturday’s service was when he was younger. packed with Bieren’s family One friend that grew up and friends, some of whom with Bieren recalled with a Austin Bieren got up at the end of the ser- laugh the time they torched vice to share memories about him. a bale of hay with fi reworks — but all noted Tracy Finck, Bieren’s mother, recalled her how responsible Bieren grew up to be. close relationship with her son. “I got to see a troublemaker turn into a “Austin and I talked all the time,” she hero, and I couldn’t ask for a better friend,” said. “If he was down, I’d send him quotes. she said. I just wanted to make sure he was happy.” Bieren’s family also put together a slide Finck read out a list of the medals and show, which showcased Bieren’s happy honors her son received during his service, times. The slide show highlighted Bieren’s and spoke about how proud he was to serve love of sports, his adoration of his nephew in the military. Jaren, whom his mother called “his pride “He was an amazing young man,” she said. and joy,” and his love for his wife, Rachel. “He always put his best foot forward. I can’t At the end of the ceremony, Cameron be prouder of who he was or who he became.” Smith, director of the Oregon Depart- Mike Mosher, Bieren’s high school foot- ment of Veteran’s Affairs, presented Bie- ball coach, spoke about his former student ren’s mother, his wife, his sister Brianne and friend’s competitive nature and mischie- and his father John with flags to honor vous personality. Bieren. By Jayati Ramakrishnan EO Media Group S EO Media Group/Jayati Ramakrishnan Tracy Finck, mother of Staff Sgt. Austin Bieren, speaks about her son during his memorial service Saturday at Umatilla High School. EO Media Group/Kathy Aney Rachel Bieren, wife of Staff Sgt. Austin Bieren, 25, who died last month in Syria receives her husband’s ashes after they were flown home and transported by hearse to Umatilla. Staff Sgt. Austin Bieren’s grandmother speaks about him during the airman’s memorial service Saturday at Umatilla High School. EO Media Group Jayati Ramakrishnan EO Media Group/Kathy Aney Patriot Guard Riders escort a hearse holding the ashes of Staff Sgt. Austin Bieren, 25, back to his wife’s home in Umatilla on Friday afternoon.