Wife accepts award
for husband killed
in Middle East
A former Hawaii resident has received an award on behalf of her husband, who was killed while guarding diplomats in Gaza.
CORRECTION
Thursday, Feb. 19, 2003>> Family members of three Americans killed in a car bombing in Gaza in the Middle East on Oct. 15 received a certificate of tribute and a flag that had been flown over the U.S. State Department in a ceremony last Friday. A story on Page A9 in yesterday's early edition incorrectly said that family members of three survivors received the honors.
The Honolulu Star-Bulletin strives to make its news report fair and accurate. If you have a question or comment about news coverage, call Editor Frank Bridgewater at 529-4791 or email him at fbridgewater@starbulletin.com.Air Force Airman 1st Class Courtney Linde, a former Hawaii Kai resident whose parents live on Maui, flew to Washington, D.C., to meet with a U.S. State Department official and receive a certificate of tribute on behalf of her husband, John M. Linde Jr.
Also present were John Linde's parents from Missouri and family members of two other security officers -- John E. Branchizio, 36, of Texas and Mark T. Parson, 31, of New York -- who were also killed.
John Linde, 30, a former U.S. Marine, was working for the private security company DynCorp. On Oct. 15 he was escorting a U.S. diplomat to interview candidates for Fulbright scholarships when the car he was riding in was torn apart by a bomb in Gaza, an Israeli-occupied Palestinian territory.
"I'm just honored I could receive the award for him," said Courtney Linde, 22.
Family members of the three survivors received a certificate of tribute and a flag that had been flown over the U.S. State Department.
Making the presentation at the private ceremony Friday was Francis Taylor, the State Department's assistant secretary for the Bureau of Diplomatic Security.
Normally, a diplomat would ride in the center car flanked by a security car in the front and another in the rear.
John Linde decided to switch places with the diplomat and ride in the middle car, the vehicle that was bombed, family members said.
Courtney Linde, who was reinstated as an Airman in early December after nearly being discharged because of bone cancer, is receiving technical training in processing contracts for the military.
Her mother, Lyn Brown, a Maui resident, said the State Department ceremony will hopefully give closure to John Linde's parents.
"This is a good thing to have for his family," Brown said. "It's bittersweet. I'm glad he's being recognized by the State Department."
Brown said her daughter, based at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, misses her husband terribly but has been trying to move on with her life.
Brown said she feels sad every time she hears about a car bombing in the Middle East. "I feel for the families that go through this," she said.
