U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Cadets and Air Force investigators celebrated the life of a graduate killed last year in Afghanistan, Nov. 12 at the Air Force Academy.
Maj. Adrianna Vorderbruggen was one of four Air Force Office of Special Investigations agents and two security forces Airmen killed in a Dec. 21 suicide bomb-attack in a village north of Bagram Airfield.
The 2002 Academy graduate and former member of Cadet Squadron 02 was affectionately known as ‘Major V,’ said OSI command chief, Chief Master Sgt. Chris VanBurger, at the ceremony in Fairchild Hall.
"'Major V' was an officer who led by example and led from the front,” he said. “It was what she did every day, day-in and day-out, that makes her a hero.”
A display case containing photos of Vordenbruggen, her uniform and other items, was unveiled at the service. The case was moved to a hallway outside her former cadet squadron after the service.
“This display allows us to tell future generations of Air Force leaders her story,” VanBurger said. “Major V’ is, and will forever be, one of our heroes.”
Lt. Col. Joseph Parsons, air officer commanding for CS-02, said honoring cadets who lost their lives in the line of duty reminds them of the seriousness of their commitment to their country.
“They may be called upon to face combat action while leading their fellow Airmen,” he said.
A score of Vorderbruggen family members, including her wife, Heather Lamb and their son, Jacob, and her father and brothers, attended the service with her coworkers and CS02 cadets.
Vorderbruggen was 36 at the time of her death. She was interred Jan. 19 at Arlington National Cemetery.