Family members, coworkers and first responders gathered at the Grace Community Church in Roswell Saturday to honor four air medical crew members remembered as compassionate caregivers, skilled aviators and devoted loved ones after they were killed in the crash of Trans Aero Medevac flight TA-40.Those honored at the memorial were flight nurse Sarah Clark, flight nurse Jamie Novick, pilot Keelan Clark and pilot Ali Kawsara.“We’re gathered here today to honor, remember and celebrate four extraordinary individuals who shared a profound purpose,” emcee Judge Kelly Calicoat said during the service. Speakers described the crew as more than coworkers, saying they were bound by trust, service and a commitment to helping others during medical emergencies. Matthew Goertz, president of Trans Aero Medevac, told mourners the four chose careers centered on caring for people. “Helping others simply wasn’t what they did, it was who they were,” Goertz said. The memorial included a White Line Ceremony, in which carnations were placed in a vase to symbolize emergency medical workers and pilots who “bridge the gap between life and death.” Five candles were also lit — one for each crew member and a fifth representing their bond as a team. Family members shared personal memories of each of the four. Ryan Novick, Jamie Novick’s husband, called her his wife, best friend and “the love of my life,” saying she made every day brighter and had a gift for making people feel seen and valued. Matt Clark, Sarah Clark’s father, said his daughter had fulfilled her dream of becoming a flight nurse and was known for bringing calm in moments of chaos. “She died with her boots on, doing what she loved,” he said. Keelan Clark’s mother, Kim Byler, said her son loved flying but was also known for his kindness, generosity and deep care for others. “Life is short. Enjoy it,” she said, reading from a note Keelan once left in a trail notebook. Jamal Kawsara, Ali Kawsara’s brother, remembered him as an incredible brother, uncle and friend whose passion for flying was part of who he was. “I like to think that Ali is exactly where he belongs, flying high above the clouds, at peace, watching over all of us,” he said. During the service, dispatchers performed a final call for TA-40 and each crew member. After no response, the dispatcher said the crew had “completed their mission” and were now “on eternal watch.” The call sign TA-40 was also formally retired. Ron Medder, a regional manager for Trans Aero Medevac, said the aircraft entered service on June 1, 2021, and flew its final mission on May 14. He said TA-40 completed 1,841 missions during that time. “This call sign will remain forever reserved in honor of Sarah, Jamie, Keelan and Ali,” Medder said. The service concluded with a bell ceremony, a presentation of colors to the families, and plans for an aircraft flyover outside.
Family members, coworkers and first responders gathered at the Grace Community Church in Roswell Saturday to honor four air medical crew members remembered as compassionate caregivers, skilled aviators and devoted loved ones after they were killed in the crash of Trans Aero Medevac flight TA-40.
Those honored at the memorial were flight nurse Sarah Clark, flight nurse Jamie Novick, pilot Keelan Clark and pilot Ali Kawsara.
“We’re gathered here today to honor, remember and celebrate four extraordinary individuals who shared a profound purpose,” emcee Judge Kelly Calicoat said during the service.
Speakers described the crew as more than coworkers, saying they were bound by trust, service and a commitment to helping others during medical emergencies.
Matthew Goertz, president of Trans Aero Medevac, told mourners the four chose careers centered on caring for people.
“Helping others simply wasn’t what they did, it was who they were,” Goertz said.
The memorial included a White Line Ceremony, in which carnations were placed in a vase to symbolize emergency medical workers and pilots who “bridge the gap between life and death.” Five candles were also lit — one for each crew member and a fifth representing their bond as a team.
Family members shared personal memories of each of the four.
Ryan Novick, Jamie Novick’s husband, called her his wife, best friend and “the love of my life,” saying she made every day brighter and had a gift for making people feel seen and valued.
Matt Clark, Sarah Clark’s father, said his daughter had fulfilled her dream of becoming a flight nurse and was known for bringing calm in moments of chaos.
“She died with her boots on, doing what she loved,” he said.
Keelan Clark’s mother, Kim Byler, said her son loved flying but was also known for his kindness, generosity and deep care for others.
“Life is short. Enjoy it,” she said, reading from a note Keelan once left in a trail notebook.
Jamal Kawsara, Ali Kawsara’s brother, remembered him as an incredible brother, uncle and friend whose passion for flying was part of who he was.
“I like to think that Ali is exactly where he belongs, flying high above the clouds, at peace, watching over all of us,” he said.
During the service, dispatchers performed a final call for TA-40 and each crew member. After no response, the dispatcher said the crew had “completed their mission” and were now “on eternal watch.”
The call sign TA-40 was also formally retired. Ron Medder, a regional manager for Trans Aero Medevac, said the aircraft entered service on June 1, 2021, and flew its final mission on May 14. He said TA-40 completed 1,841 missions during that time.
“This call sign will remain forever reserved in honor of Sarah, Jamie, Keelan and Ali,” Medder said.
The service concluded with a bell ceremony, a presentation of colors to the families, and plans for an aircraft flyover outside.
