Ryan Kenneth Betton Online Tribute and Memorial Website

About Ryan Kenneth Betton

0 comments

Memorial

This page can be accessed from www.ryanbetton.com.

In 2004, Ryan said in a dedication to a fallen VAW-115 Navy pilot, Lt. Thomas “Dumpy” Adams:

“I think it’s important to make a memorial, a reminder, because we need it. Dumpy was just a great human being. When the guys who knew Dumpy leave the squadron, all that’s left will be this memorial. The only time that someone truly dies is when that person is gone from people’s minds. With this memorial, Dumpy will continue to live on in the minds of those who see it,” said Betton.

Ryan you will live forever in our hearts and minds.

0 comments

Ryan

Lt Ryan Kenneth Betton

Mar 20, 1976 - Aug 17, 2007

Betton remembered for service to God, family, country, friends

A naval officer presents a U.S. flag to Andrea Betton on behalf of her late husband, Lt. Ryan Betton, who was killed in a Navy plane crash. Standing to the left is her brother, T.J. Slaughter, and at center with his hand to his face is her father, Tommy Slaughter. The presentation was made during a memorial service for Lt. Betton on Friday at Martinsville High School. (Bulletin photo by Mike Wray)

Sunday, August 26, 2007 (Martinsville Bulletin)

By PAUL COLLINS - Bulletin Staff Writer

A crowd estimated at nearly 900 attended a memorial service Friday in Martinsville for Lt. Ryan Kenneth Betton, formerly of Collinsville, who was killed recently in a naval plane crash.

He was remembered during the service for, among many things, his dedication to God, family, country and friends; his service to others; his love and enthusiasm for life; his striving and encouraging others to strive to do their best; and for being an outstanding naval aviator.

Betton, 31, was declared dead Aug. 17 following a search for an E-2C Hawkeye turboprop radar plane that crashed 4 1/2 seconds after catapulting from the USS Harry S. Truman during a training exercise off the coast of North Carolina on Aug. 15. Betton was the senior officer on the flight.

Also killed were Lt. Cameron N. Hall, 30, of Natchitoches, La.; and Lt. j.g. Jerry R. Smith, 25, of Greenville, Maine. Hall and Smith also were recognized at the memorial service for Betton at Martinsville High School. The three also were honored at joint memorial service Thursday in Norfolk.

The more than 1 1/2-hour service was filled with moments that tore the heart, lifted the soul and recalled fond memories of Betton’s life, as well as tried to provide comfort for his loved ones.

One of the most memorable moments was when a presentation was made declaring Betton’s nearly 2-year-old son, Ian, a provisional member of the Class of 2028 at Virginia Military Institute. Betton was a company commander and played the bagpipes at VMI, graduating in 1998.

That presentation followed remarks by Todd Boykin, Betton’s roommate at VMI. Boykin said that in Betton, VMI had accomplished its mission of producing a citizen-soldier. Boykin, his voice breaking at times, said Betton was “a recognized leader,” had uncompromising integrity, and was dedicated to God, family, country and friends.

Addressing Betton’s wife, Andrea, Boykin said, “We loved your husband as a brother and will miss him.”

Commander Rich Weathers, who was Betton’s commanding officer for three years in Japan, called him “a great pilot, the best pilot I have ever known,” and “a great husband and father.” In addition, to being a pilot, Betton was a landing signal officer (LSO), trained to control the approach and landings of planes aboard aircraft carriers. Sometimes planes are only yards above LSOs’ heads, Weathers said, recalling Betton’s calm voice as he communicated with pilots.

“I’ll remember him every day from now until I get waved in. Thanks, Paddles,” Weathers said, using Betton’s nickname.

Joanna Baldwin Coleman tearfully told the audience how Betton was a great friend and sounding board for her when she was in her late teens and early 20s. She said he was determined, strong and fearless. And she told how he fell “crazy in love” after he met his future wife, Andrea.

John Wright, a best friend of Betton who was the best man at Betton’s wedding, told how happy Betton was when he told him he was going to get married. Wright praised Betton’s parents for rearing him to be respectful and to enjoy life. He said Betton loved not only his family but his naval family.

“He loved flying and was proud to serve his country,” he said.

Wright, fighting back tears at times, recalled the last conversation he had with Betton a couple of weeks ago. Betton had talked about how happy he was, and how “it hurt him so bad” when he had to leave his wife and son and go back out to sea, Wright said. Wright said: “Ryan, I love you. ... My life would not have been the same without you.”

Boykin, Weathers, Coleman and Wright all spoke during a portion of the memorial service called “Witness Share.”

As people first arrived in the auditorium for the service, they saw on the stage a large portrait of Betton in his dress whites, a case with medals he had been awarded and several large floral arrangements, one of which had a red-white-and-blue ribbon.

Before the service, slides were projected on a giant screen showing scenes of Betton’s life — both personal and professional.

The service began with piano selections by Lynn Meeks, and the VMI Regimental Color Guard brought four flags to the stage. The Revs. Linda Theis of Fieldale United Methodist Church and Larry House, formerly of the Fieldale church and now pastor of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Danville, presided. They both praised Betton for a life well-lived, and offered words of faith and words of comfort for Betton’s loved ones.

House also encouraged people to keep recalling stories about Betton — even though House realizes some stories are happy or funny and some tough — because doing that will help keep his memory alive. House said that Betton once said, “The only time a person truly dies is when a person is gone from people’s minds.”

Theis added, “This nation has lost a great, great leader.”

And jokingly, referring to the service being held at Martinsville High School, Theis said that Betton, a 1994 graduate of Fieldale-Collinsville High School, finally had totally conquered his rivalry against Martinsville High School.

At Fieldale-Collinsville High School, Betton had been captain of the wrestling team and played on the football and soccer teams. He was drum major for the band and played the bagpipes, trumpet, saxophone and other instruments.

Other parts of the memorial service included Rhonda Hopkins’ singing of “Wind Beneath My Wings” and “Go Rest Ye, on That Mountain”; readings of Psalm 23 and John 14; a performance of “Amazing Grace” by the VMI Pipe and Drum Corps; pianist Lynn Meeks’ playing of “Hymn of Promise”; young Ian Betton (in his mother’s arms and with her help) lighting a candle of remembrance in honor of his father; a performance of taps by the VMI Bugle Corps; Theis’ reading of the poem “I’m Free”; and a presentation of the American flag to Betton’s wife.

Dozens of naval personnel attended the service. In interviews afterward, Lt. Ken Froberg, who served with Betton in Japan, said, “Everything they said was accurate.” Froberg said Betton was a great person “to work with, to call a comrade, to call a friend.”

Lt. Travis Overstreet of Roanoke said he had known Betton for seven years and they went to flight school together. “He was fiercely loyal to friends and family. He was an incredible man, one of the best people I’ve ever met in my entire life,” Overstreet said.

Lt. Chris Swanson, who served with Betton in Japan, said: “He was a great man. He was one of my mentors. ... It’s a great loss.”

Lt. David Champaigne, who went to flight school with Betton, said he was “always very generous to his friends. ... I can’t say a bad thing about him,” Champaigne said.

Naval Memorial Service in Norfolk, Virginia on August 23, 2007

Lieutenant Ryan Kenneth Betton, an Ann Arbor, Michigan native, graduated from Virginia Military Institute with a Bachelors of Science in Biology in the spring of 1998. He then reported to Naval Nuclear Power Training Command Orlando, FL, where he transitioned to Naval Aviation. He began flight training in Pensacola, FL, and went on to earn his coveted Wings of Gold with VT-9 in Meridian, Mississippi, in March 2001. He completed Fleet Replacement Pilot training in April, 2002 with VAW-120 in Norfolk, Virginia.

LT Betton reported to the Liberty Bells of VAW-115 in February 2002. He served as the Assistant Aircraft Division Officer, Aircraft Division Officer, Pilot NATOPS Officer, and Head LSO. Additionally, he completed several deployments to the Western Pacific Theatre and one to the Arabian Gulf aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63), where he flew combat missions over Iraq while participating in Operations Southern Watch and Iraqi Freedom. Following his tour with the Liberty Bells, LT Betton returned to VAW-120 as an instructor pilot, where he served as the Pilot NATOPS Consolidation Officer, Line Division Officer, and Squadron LSO.

LT Betton flew over 2,000 flight hours, including 26 combat missions and made over 200 carrier arrested landings. His personal decorations include one Air Medal (Strike/Flight Award) , Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device, two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, and numerous individual, unit, and campaign awards.

Ryan is survived by his wife, the former Andrea Slaughter of Martinsville, Virginia, and their son Ian.

Families, friends recall aviators

Three Navy officers lost at sea when their Hawkeye crashed last week are remembered with rites.

Hundreds of mourners gather in front of the chapel at Norfolk Naval Base following a memorial service Thursday for three aviators who died during a E-2C Hawkeye crash. (STEPHEN M. KATZ, ASSOCIATED PRESS / August 23, 2007)

BY STEPHANIE HEINATZ August 24, 2007 (dailypress.com)

NAVAL STATION NORFOLK - Three weeks ago, Andrea Betton headed out to Naval Station Norfolk to see her Navy pilot husband return after a month away.

She'd seen Lt. Ryan Betton fly his E-2C Hawkeye plenty of times. But that day, their son - 2-year-old Ian - "got to see his daddy fly in" for the first time.

When Ryan landed, Ian took off running, arms open.

Once Andrea caught up, Ryan leaned in to kiss her and said, "This is the best day of my life. I will never forget it."

Ian got to see the Hawkeye in flight again Thursday, when - immediately after a memorial service for his father and two other Navy aviators lost at sea when their Hawkeye crashed last week - three Hawkeyes flew in formation over the Navy base.

Hundreds of sailors and family members solemnly watched as the planes, recognizable by the big radar dishes on their backs, passed by.

The fatal Hawkeye crash happened about 11 p.m. Aug. 15, shortly after the plane took off on a routine training mission from the aircraft carrier Harry S. Truman about 150 miles southeast of the Virginia Capes.

A joint Navy and Coast Guard search for the aviators ended after more than 2,100 square miles were covered and only remnants of the plane were found.

Lt. Betton, 31, was known to friends and family as "Tater." He lived in Suffolk with Andrea and Ian. He joined Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 120 as an instructor and pilot in February 2006.

Lt. Cameron Hall - a 30-year-old from Natchitoches, La. - had been a member of the squadron since April 2006. He was an instructor and naval flight officer and wasn't married.

Lt. j.g. Jerry R. Smith - a 25-year-old from Greenville, Maine - was also single. He reported to the unit in June 2006 as a student and pilot.

Hundreds attended Thursday's service at the David Adams Memorial Chapel. A memorial to the three aviators stood in front of the altar. For each man, there was a picture, a flight helmet, aviator gloves and "wings of gold."

"My own sadness is immense," Cmdr. Jeffrey Trent, commander of the squadron, said to the families during the service. "I cannot begin to imagine the depths of your pain."

Trent said the three "embodied all that is great about our country's armed forces. They didn't sit on the sidelines as spectators. They died ... doing what they loved, what they believed in."

Smith was remembered as dependable, loyal, humble and sincere.

Hall "was a little cocky, a little awkward and so full of personality, it was hard not to smile at him," Lt. Josh Wenker said.

Betton, said one sailor who spoke, was a "true Southern gentleman" who once said that "the only time one truly dies is when that person is gone from people's minds."

Said another, "There will always be an extra set of controls in our cockpits ... and an extra seat at the bar" for Smith, Hall and Betton.

At the end of the service, the squadron's executive officer presented each family a small wooden shadow box. Inside was a folded U.S. flag and trinkets symbolizing the men's military accomplishments.

It was a poignant memento for the families - and a meaningful symbol for the Navy.

According to Navy tradition, when a sailor leaves a ship for the last time, it's bad luck for his shadow to touch land before he does. The artifacts in each shadow box represented the shadow of each aviator.

With them secure in the boxes, their shadows will be safely cared for until each aviator makes it safely ashore.

Family of missing aviator from Martinsville area

Written by Bill Wyatt (Martinsvilledaily.com)

Friday, 17 August 2007

UPDATE: (10:04PM)

Statement from Betton Family

Ryan K. Betton was born on March 20, 1976 in Ann Arbor, MI. He moved at a young age to Virginia, where he called home. He was a graduate of Virginia Military Institute (VMI), class of 1998. Ryan was proud to serve his country in the United States Navy. Ryan married his college sweetheart, Andrea in 2000. After assignments in Mississippi and Virginia, Ryan was assigned to VAW-115 aboard the U.S.S. Kitty Hawk in Japan. In 2005, Ryan and Andrea returned home to Virginia where he was an instructor pilot in VAW-120. Their son who is now two was born shortly after their return. Ryan, also known to his friends as “Tater”, was an avid reader and loved music. Ryan is survived by his wife and son and his parents’ Janice and Walter Betton of Collinsville, VA and by Rick and Paula MacPhee of Spring Hill, FL and by his grandmother, Iris MacPhee of Hudson, FL.

“The Betton family is deeply saddened by the recent tragedy and wishes to extend their most sincere sympathies to the other officers’ families impacted. The family is proud and honored for the years Ryan was able to serve his country in the United States Navy. We stand in strong support of our countries service men and women and the sacrifices they make every single day. Freedom sometimes requires the ultimate sacrifice and we are thankful Ryan was willing to protect the liberties on which our country was founded. Your prayers and continued support are greatly appreciated,” said the Betton family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to: VAW/VRC Memorial Scholarship Fund P.O. Box 15322 Norfolk, VA 23511–0322

UPDATE (5:40PM): Reports confirm the Navy stopped searching today for three people aboard a twin-engine radar plane that crashed off North Carolina's coast. Family members tell us at 3pm this afternoon the aviators were declared dead. Among them, Lt. Ryan Betton, formerly of Martinsville. Betton was a trainer on the aircraft and leaves behind his wife (daughter of Tommy Slaughter and sister of Martinsville Police officer T.J. Slaughter) and son "Ian" who will be two years old next month. The family lives in Suffolk, but are from Martinsville. Ryan's father is Dr. Wally Betton, a local optometrist with offices in Collinsville. A memorial service is being planned for Thursday next week in Norfolk.

Lt. Ryan K Betton

Officials with the Norfolk based Atlantic Fleet Naval Air Force say as of this morning they have not been able to locate the E-2C Hawkeye turbo prop plane that went down in clear weather around 11pm Wednesday night.

There were three aviators in the plane, one with ties to the Martinsville area. We are told by someone close to the family that one of the crew members is the son of Dr. Wally Betton, optometrist in Collinsville and son-in-law of Tommy Slaughter, retired Martinsville Police Officer and candidate for Reed Creek District Board of Supervisor. We are told this morning that family is either already in the area or enroute.

Officials say the plane was participating in a qualification exercise at the time which required a "touch and go" exercise from the carrier deck of the USS Harry S. Truman. The exercises were taking place about 150 miles southeast of the Virginia Capes, which is where the Atlantic and the Chesapeake Bay converge. Crews continue to search today by sea and by air for the three missing men.

Betton's remains found

Thursday, November 29, 2007

By BULLETIN STAFF REPORTS -

The remains of Lt. Ryan Kenneth Betton, who was killed in a naval plane crash in August, have been found and will be returned to Henry County for burial.

Tommy Slaughter, the father of Betton’s wife, Andrea, said Wednesday that the family was notified last Wednesday that the military had found part of a cockpit with a body in it.

“We got word yesterday (Tuesday) that it was Ryan,” Slaughter said.

Betton, 31, was declared dead Aug. 17 after a search for an E-2C Hawkeye turboprop radar plane that crashed 4 1/2 seconds after catapulting from the USS Harry S. Truman during a training exercise off the coast of North Carolina on Aug. 15.

Betton was the senior officer on the flight. Two other men also were on the plane died when it went down in about 3,000 feet of water, officials said at the time. Slaughter said Betton’s body will be returned here and a graveside service will be held Saturday at Roselawn Burial Park.

“The family was hoping he got out and that kind of thing. This puts an end to that twinkle of hope. I think it will provide closure,” Slaughter added. Betton, formerly of Collinsville, graduated from Fieldale-Collinsville High School and Virginia Military Institute. He and his wife had a son.