BMX Fundraiser for fallen soldier from Cape Coral

Reporter: Samantha Johns Writer: Paul Dolan
Published: Updated:
32-year-old Cape Coral man Aaron Healy, one of nine soldiers killed in a helicopter accident near Fort Campbell, Kentucky, last week. Courtesy of his family

A family grieving the loss of their son is being lifted up by their community. Aaron Healy, an army pilot, and Cape Coral native died in the tragic Blackhawk crash during a training exercise in Kentucky last week.

The crushing news caught his family off guard.

“Military has lost a good soldier. A wife has lost a good husband. His children lost a good father. I’ve lost a good son,” Aaron’s parents, Vicky and Michael Healy said.

Monday the community came together not only to honor Aaron’s legacy but also to help his family in their time of need.

A BMX race and fundraiser will be held in Aaron’s honor.

“His family was hands down the absolute most important thing to him and nothing in the world could ever come before his wife and his kids,” Aaron’s wife’s aunt, Lisa White said.

Aaron passed away suddenly after two HH-60 Blackhawk helicopters crashed during a training routine in Fort Campbell, Kentucky. It’s a day Lisa won’t forget.

“I kept looking at the TV and I was saying, but it’s not supposed to be our family. This is supposed to be other families. And that’s kind of how it always is until it’s your family,” Lisa said.

Searching for support, Lisa connected with her riding community at the Cape Coral BMX Club. It’s where Aaron would ride his bike as a child.

“Aaron is from Cape Coral grew up here. And we felt that as our entire track, that it would be a perfect opportunity to give back to our community and help a family in need,” event organizer, Layla Viernes said.

The event will feature a benefit dinner, a silent auction, and an honor guard ceremony. Racers will come down this track with flags to remember their fallen brother. Which track operator Nicolas Jones hopes will help keep Aaron’s memory alive.

“I hope that other organizations jump on board and realize that even though this accident occurred in another state, in over 1000 miles away that it affects everybody here in this community,” Jones said.

The fundraiser is on April 22, at the BMX track in Cape Coral, and all community members are invited to attend.

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