As the new year approaches, the former Yuma family feels a new sense of isolation.

This fall, KAWC met a family with a tragic story.

During an intimate event at MCAS-Yuma on Halloween, the Meyer family unearthed a treasure trove of memories and left them buried in honor of Thomas Meyer.

The eldest son in the family, 16-year-old Thomas, was killed by a motorist on November 1, 1996, while riding his bicycle just outside the main gates of MCAS Yuma.

His younger brother and sister, including Francine Hall, who was only eight years old at the time, were devastated.

“The car didn’t see him, so he died,” she said. We were all on our way home.”

Just a day ago, Francine was spending her last vacation with her older brother.

“The night before he died, we did trick or treating that our family never did, but the memory will forever be in my head – of him handing out candy and smiling at all of us.” saw the

The family already had to face the possibility that the family patriarch, active-duty Marine Michael Meyer, would be killed in service to the country.

But Thomas went first.

This was a tragedy that no one was prepared for.

“It’s hard for someone who’s 16 to pass.” [away]said Francine, now 34.

After 20 years in the Marine Corps, he retired as a gunnery sergeant and joined the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office.

Senior Adjutant Michael was killed while on duty on the afternoon of August 13, 2001. He was driving a patrol car on Highway 95 near the Yuma Proving Ground during a heavy rainstorm. His car overturned due to hydroplaning. Michael was pronounced dead at the scene.

Another member of the Meyer family – his wife, Penny. Sons Jacob and Wayne. and daughters Charlene, Francine, and Kathleen survived to cope with the emotional scars.

On Halloween’s day, the surviving families reunite at the Yuma Airfield to remember their brothers and find the healing they’ve alluded to over the years.

Sealed in the basement were three large tubes labeled Family, School, and Station. Inside each I found memories, photographs, letters, poems, broken hearts and a flood of memories.

The family was amazed at the number of community members Thomas had an impact on in their lives.

“It’s wonderful to see,” said Francine. “Last year we created a Facebook group where people who went to school with him, friends from church, [and] People who didn’t know him but knew him reached out. It’s been hard, but it’s so rewarding to see the impact he had on everyone’s lives. ”

With those memories came healing, which she says took nearly 30 years to find.

“Our family has had a lot of trouble with the passing of my father five years after Thomas died, but maybe until this weekend we weren’t quite the same.” No. Emotions never go away, but people can grieve and heal in their own time. [our family] It’s a little long, but it’s great to see the five of us here with our mom and grandparents. ”

The park now stands as a memorial to the struggle between the Thomas and Mayer families. The Thomas Meyer Memorial Park is located on approximately 14 acres of desert land, converted into an irrigated lawn park and includes a Little League field and memorial area.

MCAS Yuma Commanding Officer Charles Dudik said the Marines currently serving on the base appreciate the opportunity to live in a community that values ​​service and continues to honor the Mayer family. refused to speak on tape so the family could speak for their siblings.

“I would like to thank the base for allowing us to come to the base. The base first put this together and named the park after him,” said Francine. This is the first time a civilian has received this honour, and the base staff who didn’t know him who kept the base clean and continued to build and help his brother to get everything ready for us today. I am very grateful to the captain who gave me. ”