News>EOD memorial ceremony honors 15 fallen heroes
Photos
Kristin Johnson, widow of Senior Airman Daniel Johnson, tries to keep her composure after receiving a folded flag from Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz during the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Memorial Ceremony May 7, 2011, at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. General Schwartz also presented a flag to Emily Buras, the widow of Senior Airman Michael Buras. Fifteen new names were added to the EOD Memorial Wall this year. The total, which includes all services, now stands at 269. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)
Rows of explosive ordnance disposal Airmen fill the stands at this year’s EOD Memorial Ceremony May 7, 2011, at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Fifteen new names were added to the EOD Memorial Wall this year. The total, which includes all services, now stands at 269. Two Air Force names were added to the wall: Senior Airmen Michael Buras and Daniel Johnson. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)
Chief Master Sgt. Albert Schneider and Maj. Jason Warnick, 366th Training Squadron Det. 3, move away from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Memorial Wall at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., after laying a wreath in front of the Air Force area of the wall during the EOD Memorial Ceremony May 7, 2011. Fifteen new names were added to the memorial wall this year. The total, which includes all services, now stands at 269. Senior Airmen Michael Buras and Daniel Johnson were added to the Air Force wall. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)
Staff Sgt. Lindsay Ahonen, 366th Training Squadron Det. 3, salutes Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz after passing him a flag during the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Memorial Ceremony May 7, 2011, at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. General Schwartz presented flags to the widows of two fallen EOD Airmen: Senior Airmen Michael Buras and Daniel Johnson. Fifteen new names were added to the memorial wall this year. The total, which includes all services, now stands at 269. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)
Senior Airman Nicholas Cooper, 96th Air Base Wing honor guard, closes the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Memorial Ceremony May 7, 2011, at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., by playing Taps. Fifteen new names were added to the memorial wall this year. The total, which includes all services, now stands at 269. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz pays tribute to the families of lost and injured explosive ordnance disposal Airmen May 7, 2011, at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The general and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy addressed Air Force attendees and family members immediately after the annual EOD memorial ceremony, during which two new names of EOD Airmen were added to the wall. The general applauded Air Force EOD Airmen everywhere and sincerely thanked them for their sacrifices, both at home and overseas. In his remarks, General Schwartz also commemorated those EOD Airmen who have paid the ultimate price in service to their country. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)
Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy addresses Air Force explosive ordnance disposal technicians and their families May 7, 2011, at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Chief Roy addressed the group immediately after the annual EOD memorial ceremony, during which two new names of EOD Airmen were added to the wall. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)
5/10/2011 - EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFNS) -- "We assemble here today to remember the sacrifice of (explosive ordnance disposal) technicians and comfort their loved ones left behind."
With those words, Navy Capt. Adam Guziewicz, the Naval School EOD commander, welcomed almost 3,000 people to the 42nd annual memorial service honoring EOD technicians past and present.
Fifteen names of EOD technicians from the various services killed last year were added to the EOD Memorial Wall, bringing the total of technicians killed in combat since World War II to 269.
Numerous dignitaries from all services attended the event, including Marine Gen. James F. Amos, the Marine Corps commandant. General Amos spoke directly to the families of the fallen.
"I'm humbled to walk among you this morning and share in this unique opportunity to commemorate and honor our EOD warriors," he said. "Each one is a genuine American hero and a national treasure."
General Amos spoke about the camaraderie in the EOD community and the great sacrifices each technician is willing to make. He reminded those in attendance that every technician, regardless of service, begins his or her career as a student at the school which stands across from the memorial. Platoons from each service stood watch during the ceremony.
"The four services stand together in one place at one memorial forever honoring their heroes in the common mission they all were a part of," General Amos said. "This one wall represents a single team fighting together. No individual whose name is inscribed stood alone nor did they fall alone."
The general reminded those present that EOD operations continue today in both Afghanistan and Iraq, missions which are saving lives.
"You move toward danger while others flee, you create access on the battlefield, you clear compounds, you permit movement down dusty roads and ultimately you make an area safe for the people who live there," he said.
EOD Chief Demetrius O'Halloran, who is currently an instructor at the school, remembered his friend, EOD technician Tony Randolph. Chief O'Halloran said the two were together for about a year before he left for Iraq. EOD Tech Randolph remained in Afghanistan where he was killed in 2009.
"It was just devastating when it's one of your buddies," Chief O'Halloran said. "You never forget them or get over it and you don't want to get over it. I look back on the good times we had when we did operations together."
General Amos promised the families they would not be forgotten. He said the nation's responsibilities do not end at the gravesite.
"We owe each of you our debt of gratitude. We are honor bound to keep. You embody all that is honorable and good about the American spirit."
Comments
5/14/2011 2:17:35 PM ET Relatives, all and buddies of 15 fallen heroes: be not grieved. People that is without hope, they are with the Father, that is the Father of all us. Sincerely, Claudio Alpaca Pieve di Teco 14. 52011
Claudio Alpaca, ITALY
5/11/2011 2:06:28 PM ET In 2005 while deployed to Bagram and assigned to the 455 ELRS, I received a small taste of what these folks do day-in and day-out. I went out with EOD Airmen a couple of times to help destroy weapons caches. Being a supply guy I jumped at the opportunity to assist my fellow Airmen. I enjoyed the closeness and comaderie I had with these individuals. I want to give a personal shout-out to Steve Stone, Chris Ferrell, and Ramaka. You guys are the heat and still my boys. Thanks for the memories. To all the other EOD techs across the DoD, you guys and gals are the heat. Continue to make the roadways and villages safe for other service men and women to advance on. Thank you, vr, TSgt Broughman
Teague Broughman, Langley AFB
5/10/2011 5:09:56 PM ET Thank you EOD guys for all you do. It would have been impossible to get to the villages in Iraq to do our job if you guys weren't out there clearing the way. May your friends Rest In Peace.
