Twenty years ago, the Fort Drum community suffered one of the biggest losses in its history when on a training flight, a Blackhawk helicopter, went down on post.

Eleven soldiers were killed in that crash.

What You Need To Know

  • On March 11, 2003, a Blackhawk helicopter flying a training flight over the ranges of Fort Drum crashed

  • Eleven soldiers were killed in that crash

  • Friends, family and fellow soldiers honored the 11 fallen with a special ceremony on Saturday

On Saturday, family, friends and former brothers-in-arms made the trip back to Fort Drum to honor those soldiers once again.

It was supposed to be a routine training flight. Tragically, it ended as one of the worst accidents in Fort Drum's history.

“My name is Ed Pavlich. I am the father of Staff Sergeant Brian Pavlich,” Brian Pavlich’s father Ed said at a ceremony Saturday to remember that day.

Pavlich’s family joined other family, friends and fellow veterans to remember those names and that day 20 years ago when the tail of a line of Blackhawks disappeared from the sky.

“Even though they're gone, your memory and sacrifice will continue,” Pavlich added.

Also there to honor the 11 men who died was one of the two who somehow survived that crash, Specialist Dmitri Petrov.

“It was supposed to be really routine — treetops on the radar type of deal — and yeah and next thing I know, I woke up in the hospital 22 days later,” Petrov said.

Petrov was only 24 at the time. Now 44, he does recall some concerns about the weather. But other than that, does not remember much at all of what happened. He says he is extremely grateful, though, to be alive.

Now he's on a new mission, one that ensures the names and the memories of his 11 brothers in arms are forever remembered.

“We share a bond,” Petrov added. “Not a lot of people understand.”

It’s a mission shared by everyone at the ceremony.

The other soldier who survived the crash was 20-year-old Specialist Edwin Mejia.

The following soldiers were killed in the accident:

  • Capt. Christopher E. Britton, 27, from Ohio, assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 10th Aviation Regiment;
  • Chief Warrant Officer 3 Kenneth L. Miller, 35, from California, assigned to B Company, 2nd Battalion, 10th Aviation Regiment;
  • Staff Sgt. Brian Pavlich, 25, from Port Jervis, N.Y., assigned to C Company, 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment;
  • Sgt. John L. Eichenlaub Jr., 24, from South Williamsport, Pa., assigned to C Company, 4-31 Infantry;
  • Sgt. Joshua M. Harapko, 23, from Peoria, Ariz., assigned to C Company, 4-31 Infantry;
  • Spc. Lucas V. Tripp, 23, from Aurora, Colo., assigned to B Company, 2-10 Aviation;
  • Spc. Barry M. Stephens, 20, from Pinson, Ala., assigned to B Company, 2-10 Aviation;
  • Pfc. Shawn A. Mayerscik, 22, from Oil City, Pa., assigned to C Company, 4-31 Infantry;
  • Pfc. Tommy C. Young, 20, from Knoxville, Tenn., assigned to C Company, 4-31 Infantry;
  • Pfc. Stryder O. Stoutenburg, 18, from Missoula, Mont., assigned to C Company, 4-31 Infantry, and
  • Pfc. Andrew D. Stevens, 20, from Rockingham, N.H., assigned to C Company, 4-31 Infantry.