Arlington exhibit closes with ceremony honoring the fallen

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. J.G. Buzanowski
  • Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs
WASHINGTON (AFPN) --  Arlington National Cemetery's "Faces of the Fallen" exhibit closed June 7, and in a ceremony to honor the fallen, artwork featuring servicemembers who have lost their lives were presented to their surviving family members.

While the exhibit comprised 1,319 fallen servicemembers, the closing ceremony featured a handful of portraits standing for each service.

Representing the Air Force was Senior Airman Jason Plite, a pararescueman who lost his life in 2003. Airman Plite's mother, Dawn Peterson, accepted her son's portrait from the artist, Robert Henry.

"This was wonderful for them to do and I'm honored to have been here for this," Ms. Peterson said.

In addition, fellow pararescuemen attended the ceremony to lend support for their fallen comrade, including the career field manager, Chief Master Sgt. Ryan Beckmann.

"We felt it was important for us to be here," the chief said. "Once you join the PJs, you join a family. That doesn't just go for our Airmen, but their families as well and we're glad we could attend and show our respect."

The exhibit, which opened in March 2005, was viewed by more than 650,000 visitors.

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