On March 19, 2020, U.S. Air Force Airman First Class Keigan Baker of Longview — a special operations combat controller assigned to the Special Tactics Training Squadron’s 24th Special Operations Wing — was killed during a military training exercise in St. Andrews Bay, Florida.
Baker was born and raised in Longview, graduating from Mark Morris High School and obtaining a bachelor’s of science in business management from Eastern Washington University before enlisting in the Air Force in June 2018, according to the Keigan Baker Memorial Foundation’s website.
Now, Baker’s Gold Star mother, Renne Ramey, is organizing the second annual “Trees of Heroes” ceremony in Longview, where a Christmas tree will be set up and decorated with ornaments honoring not just Baker, but other military service members from throughout Southwest Washington who also made the ultimate sacrifice according to a Keigan Baker Memorial Foundation news release.
The tree Ramey is setting up will be one of 11 statewide as a part of the Tree of Heroes project, which is a collaboration between the Washington State Fallen Heroes Project and Gold Star Families of Washington.
“This holiday season, as families and communities come together, we invite everyone to honor and remember these brave individuals who gave their lives in service to our nation,” the release stated. “Each Tree of Heroes is a symbol of our enduring gratitude and commitment to ensuring their legacy lives on.”
Along with Baker, the tree in Longview will also honor fallen service members from the Twin Cities, Aberdeen, Battle Ground, Camas, Elma, Hoquiam, Kalama, Lacey, Longview, Montesano, Olympia, Shelton, Yelm, Vancouver and other communities.
A decorating ceremony for the Trees of Heroes tree Ramey is setting up will be held on Saturday, Nov. 29, from 1 to 3 p.m., at the Ashtown Brewing Company — located at 1145 11th Ave. in Longview.
The ceremony is free to attend, and all are invited to come honor the fallen. Local Gold Star families are also invited to hang ornaments honoring the loved ones they lost.
“We are deeply honored to collaborate with Gold Star Families of Washington to continue the Trees of Heroes project in our communities,” Keirsten Lyons, Washington State Fallen Heroes Project Director, said in the release. “This initiative is a powerful reminder of the courage and sacrifice of our service members and their families. We hope these trees inspire everyone to reflect on the true meaning of service and sacrifice.”
All 11 trees will be displayed throughout the Christmas season.
The Keigan Baker Memorial Foundation was created following Baker’s death to honor his legacy by funding scholarships for those also pursuing military special operations careers and funding for organizations which support veterans and Gold Star families. To learn more, visit https://www.keiganbakermemorialfoundation.com/
