Remains of Maui Serviceman Return Home; Flags Lowered

By Wendy Osher

The remains of a Maui service member killed in Afghanistan returned to Maui this morning.

Kraig Vickers, 36, was among 30 service members killed on August 6 when their CH-47 Chinook helicopter crashed in the Wardak province.

Also today, Governor Neil Abercrombie ordered that all national and Hawai’i flags at all state offices and agencies as well as the Hawai’i National Guard  be flown at half-staff on Saturday, September 3, 2011 in memory of Vickers, whose services will be held that day.

“We honor Senior Chief Petty Officer Vickers and all of those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice as a result of their duty to the nation and fellow soldiers,” said Gov. Abercrombie. “My deepest sympathies go out to Senior Chief Petty Officer Vickers’ family and friends,” he said.

Vickers was a Senior Chief Explosive Ordinance Disposal Specialist attached to a Navy Seal Team Unit.  He was a member of an East Coast-based Naval Special Warfare unit which was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

SCPO Vickers, was a 1992 Maui High School graduate.

Memorial services are set for Saturday, September 3, 2011 at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center, Castle Theater. Visitation is from 8 to 10 a.m. Services begin at 10 a.m., with burial to follow at 1 p.m. at Valley Isle Memorial Park in Haiku.