TUCSON, Ariz. -- A memorial was held today for an Arizona pilot killed in a terror attack in Kenya.
Dustin Harrison was among three Americans killed after a military base was overrun by insurgents.
His widow, Hope Harrison, was one of many who spoke at his memorial.
“He went to heaven doing what he loved, and he loved flying,” said Hope.
She says Dustin was the love of her life.
“He was my rock. He was my mate. He was my best friend,” she added.
She says their two year-old daughter Heaven was his world.
Dustin’s brother, Troy Harrison says he thought Dustin would be a bachelor forever, but then Hope came along and changed that.
“They were meant to be together,” said Troy.
Now, Troy has a heavy heart. He says Dustin was robbed of many firsts with his daughter.
“He won't get to see her graduate. He won’t get to see her get married. So that's going to be pretty hard,” Troy tells KGUN9.
Troy says Dustin was an intelligence, Reconnaissance, and Resilience pilot-- commonly known as an IRS pilot. Dustin was contracted to fly aircraft for the U.S. Military.
He says Dustin was passionate about his job but wanted to spend more time with his family.
“He felt like the separation from his family was pretty hard. So this was probably going to be his last tour,” said Troy.
Turns out, Dustin was less than nine days away from coming home, when insurgents attacked the base in Kenya.
“When someone is tragically taken away from you unexpectedly age of 47 with a two year old...it’s tough,” as he wiped his tears.
So for now, his family, friends, and colleagues, remember who Dustin was.
“He liked to live life to the fullest. He was very kind, he was very brave,” added Troy.
They say, he was a good man and will forever be their hero.
