Icy water, warm hearts

Photo By R.J. Oriez | Airman 1st Class Damian Dimmick, 90th Missile Security Forces Squadron, Brook Preren, Senior Airman Andy Vargas Noesi, 90th MSFS, Robert Randall and Zack Johnson each find their own style as they jump into Sloan Lake in Cheyenne, Wyo., Jan. 16, 2016. They had each paid $20 for the privilege of a swim in 34-degree water as part of the Matthew S. Schwartz Memorial Polar Plunge named for an explosive ordnance disposal technician assigned to F.E. Warren Air Force Base who was killed in action while deployed to Afghanistan in 2012. (U.S. Air Force photo by R.J. Oriez)  

F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, WY, UNITED STATES

01.16.2016

Story by Airman 1st Class Malcolm Mayfield 

90th Missile Wing

F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. -- The fourth-annual Matthew S. Schwartz Memorial Polar Plunge took place, Jan. 16, in Cheyenne’s Sloan Lake with the largest showing of jumpers since its inception.

The event hosted 25 teams adding up to a total of 101 jumpers who displayed their support by bravely leaping into the cold waters of Sloan Lake. Those that wished to face the plunge were asked to donate $20.

The event is held each year in memory of an Airman from the 90th Civil Engineer Squadron’s explosive ordnance disposal team, who was killed in action while deployed to Afghanistan Jan. 5, 2012.

Proceeds from the dive were donated to the EOD Warrior Foundation, a group that provides financial assistance to wounded EOD personnel, along with families of those wounded or killed.

“We do this to remember Matt,” Staff Sgt. Dan Mickelson, 366th Civil Engineer Squadron, located at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, and former 90th CES member. “He was a good friend of mine and it’s incredible to see all of these people show their support.”

• Date Taken: 01.16.2016
• Date Posted: 01.22.2016 18:37
• Story ID: 186885
• Location: F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, WY, US