Fallen Airman honored at candlelight vigil

HENRY COUNTY, Ga. — Several people gathered to pay tribute to Airman 1st Class Kcey E. Ruiz, 21, of McDonough, Georgia, one of the six airmen killed in Afghanistan on Oct. 2.

According to the Department of Defense, the airmen died when the C-130J Super Hercules aircraft they were in crashed just after taking off at Jalalabad Airfield, Afghanistan.

Kcey Ruiz graduated from Dutchtown High School in Henry County in 2012. She enlisted in the U.S. Air Force shortly after graduating high school.

Michael Ruiz is a proud father and he's thankful he's not the only one who misses his daughter.

"It gave me strength, I could see all these people just to support her and lover that she brought this community," Ruiz said.

Ruiz is a Marine, but admits he wanted to cry when he took the podium in front of dozens holding candles in his daughter's honor.

During the vigil, the city of McDonough announced it would soon add Kcey Ruiz's name to the wall of honor.

Ruiz says he wants to spread his daughter's positive spirit by setting up a scholarship fund in her name.

He says his daughter loved helping others and wanted to become a nurse.

The new scholarship will give $2,500 to a nursing student who graduated Dutchtown High School.

Ruiz's portrait will be placed inside of the Veterans Museum at Heritage Park in McDonough.

WSBTV