Fire station honors fallen Beale Airman Published Nov. 26, 2013 By Senior Airman Allen Pollard 9th Reconnaissance Wing Public Affairs BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Cal-Fire Butte County Headquarters honored Capt. Randy Roby and Geraldine Vering with a memorial in front of the fire station in Oroville, Calif., Nov. 22. The event replaced an old wooden memorial with a new metal and stone monument. "It is our honor to present this memorial as recognition of the daily sacrifices of the men and women of our armed forces," said George Morris, Butte County Fire Department Cal-Fire Butte Unit chief. "Capt. Roby and Ms. Vering will always be remembered." On Aug. 7, 1996, a U-2 Dragon Lady piloted by Roby crashed near the Mercury-Register office in Oroville. Roby ejected but was fatally injured in the mid-air explosion. Roby landed in front of the Cal-Fire Butte County Headquarters. The aircraft exploded when it impacted the ground killing Vering moments after she left the Mercury-Register office. Oroville resident, Stu Shaner said he talked to many people and they all believe Roby stayed with the plane even after it was in trouble to try and save the people of Oroville. He stated that a highway patrolman heard chatter over the radio that Roby was trying his best to direct the aircraft away from the city. "Your instincts would be to just get out of there, but Capt. Roby didn't he fought to save the plane until it was too late," Shaner said. "Now that's a true hero." Lt. Col. Colby Kuhns, 1st Reconnaissance Squadron commander spoke about Roby and the events during the memorial. "Capt. Randy Roby was a loving husband, a loving father and a great Airman who gave his life to his country," Kuhns said. "We memorialize him today and remember his sacrifices."