It has taken me a little while to write a post on this.  Two weeks ago I lost one of the airmen under my command here at Aviano.  Airman First Class Lauren Lagudi passed away in Pordenone, Italy after returning home from a weekend in Rome.  She was an extremely talented broadcaster; in fact she was named the Air Forces 2008 Outstanding New Broadcaster of the Year, but more importantly though she was a great person.  She was always happy and truly cared about people.  I have never met someone that could always be so positive.  She loved the saying; “Live, Love, and Laugh”.  Lauren loved her job and loved being here in Italy.  She was my morning DJ and she was the first person I would see everyday when I came into work.  She is an immense loss to our unit, the Air Force, and frankly the world. 

I had the honor of escorting her home to her family last week.  I know they may never read this, but I want to thank all the aircrews along the way that helped us out and paid such great honor to her.  Please keep Laurens family in your thoughts and prayers.  They are an incredible family and are strong beyond belief, but any thoughts that can be with them to help them through I am sure will be greatly appreciated.  I have placed a link below to a story written on her memorial we held at Aviano recently.  I also added a link to a foundation that has been established in her honor to aid schools with broadcaster equipment to help future generations find their calling.  I finally placed a couple photos of her I took for a story we wrote when she won the outstanding new broadcaster of the year award.  Please keep her in your hearts and remember to, “Live, Love, and, Laugh”.     

http://www.laurenlagudifoundation.org/

http://www.aviano.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123174585