MENDON, N.Y. — So many have already come to pay their respects to three fallen national guardsmen who died in a helicopter crash on January 20.

Paul Heaney said he watched the Blackhawk fall from his kitchen window. Heaney said he took part in a military plane crash recovery of his own years ago. The retired Kodak and Bausch & Lomb engineer is proud of what happened along this country road.

“This is the way to recognize people who are selfless and what they have contributed to our society,” Heaney said.

And if the landowner here signs off, Heaney wants to bring a stone monument to the space and will work with the town to bring permanent lighting to this memorial.

“I wanted to pay my respects because my husband is in this unit. And I came by because my son and I hadn’t stopped by to see the crash site,” said Laura Jamieson.

“Military people put their lives in Jeopardy and the security of their families in jeopardy, for what? 'Oh I get wear the uniform?' No. It’s selflessness,” Heaney said.