The work of VIASAR is dedicated to the Damon family and in loving memory of Harrison Damon, who gave much to others in life and continues to give even after his passing.
“It all began in Maine in early spring when I received a letter detailing the tragic loss of my cousin’s 17 year old step son, Harrison Damon. (Bangor Daily News article) This loss came as a shock and a difficult blow – Harrison was a singular individual, who inspired people to improve themselves by his very nature. I am an imagery analyst by trade, with over 20 years of experience. I specialize in airborne and tactical imagery operations and have worked numerous humanitarian relief efforts, as well as several Search and Rescue (SAR) initiatives. My first thought was to use the skills that I possess to help with search efforts for the recovery of Harrison’s body. I attempted to contact the Environmental Protection Agency, the US Geological Survey, and some State of Maine offices to find resources for bathymetry plots and thermal maps of currents in the Penobscot Bay area. I struck out on every front.
By the time I received the news about Harrison, state and local agencies had already concluded their searches. Only one organization did not give up, the Down East Emergency Medicine Institute (DEEMI), a non-profit SAR team. This team, headed by Director Richard Bowie, flew tactical reconnaissance missions as late as May in an effort to recover Harrison’s body. They eventually identified what they believed was a body in one of their images; however, attempts to get local and state agencies to respond based on their findings were unsuccessful. Everything seemed to end at this point – except for the continued support from DEEMI.
In August I took my family to Maine. Harrison’s absence was felt by the all of us. When my cousin shared the reconnaissance photograph with me, I immediately cued in on the body in the image and verified the DEEMI team’s findings. She then suggested I contact Bowie and share my experience.
On August 12th, the day we planted a maple tree for Harrison at his grandmother’s home, a sneaker with a foot inside was found near Moose Point State Park. DNA testing later identified this as Harrison’s.
The next few days were significant. I met and talked about imagery operations in great depth with Bowie, and visited the DEEMI facility where I had a chance to see their aircraft and helicopters. I agreed to act as an advocate for my cousin and join a recovery effort at Moose Point State Park. I also agreed to perform a post mission analysis of the imagery DEEMI had taken for Harrison’s search, as well as imagery from a mission that was used to locate the body of a three-year-old girl lost earlier that year.
It dawned on me that I could do this for DEEMI for any mission they flew. It also occurred to me that I’m connected to numerous imagery analysts, airborne sensors operators, image scientists, sensor developers and a host of other people that have relevant experience. The credentials of one guy might be good, but a whole group of experts would be far better. Then it occurred to me that an organization utilizing the skills of these experts would hold even more credibility.
When I returned home, I shared my thoughts with my long-time friend and colleague, Kevin Culli. Kevin agreed to volunteer his time and we decided to form a non-profit organization under which we could perform these duties. Harrison’s grandmother agreed to chair our board of directors and help raise funds and the initial framework of Volunteer Imagery Analysts for Search and Rescue (VIASAR) was born.”
Chris Rowley
