Explosive ordnance members honor fallen heroes

  • Published
  • By Capt. Chrissy Cuttita
  • Air Force Civil Engineer Support Agency
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFNEWS) --  Six fallen Airmen were honored during the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Memorial held April 21 at Eglin Air Force Base's Kauffman Annex.

"It's an honor to be here and pay our respect to fallen warriors and families who gave so much," said Maj. Gen. Del Eulberg, the Air Force civil engineer, Headquarters U.S. Air Force.

"Their legacy will not be forgotten," he said.

Fourteen EOD servicemembers who were killed in action since January 2006 were added to the list of 196 men and women whose names are etched on the memorial's bronze tablets organized by branch of service. The last time an Airman was added was 1994.

"It is all about our fallen comrades," said Staff Sgt. Sarah Martinez, instructor and Air Force representative for the Memorial at the Naval School Explosive Ordnance Disposal. "The ceremony is bittersweet as people are reunited but losses are felt. We see old friends and honor others."

All of the fallen were graduates of the Naval School of EOD, a Department of Defense school located across the street from the memorial. For 67 years, servicemembers have earned EOD badges and since 1970 there has been a privately sponsored, non-profit memorial to commemorate heroes who died in the performance of duty.

The somber gathering highlighted three things: to honor and reflect on the lives of the fallen; to grieve and console; and to transition and carry on, said Rear Adm. Donald K. Bullard, the guest speaker.

"EOD is a family," said Chief Master Sgt. Jeff Schley, Air Combat Command's EOD functional manager. "I personally knew two of them. We train together, fight together and mourn together. It is a rough time not just for our career field but for our nation."

It was Sergeant Martinez's fourth time at the annual event that often remembers a former student or two. As an instructor at the schoolhouse she trains service members of all ranks and professional backgrounds who are new to EOD. It was that family that reunited, prayed, cried and consoled each other during the ceremony.

"It is a sad, cold fact," Sergeant Martinez said about the loss of EOD comrades. "Everyone loves what they are doing. They are not forced to do EOD, they volunteer. It is not just a job but part of who we are. It is a whole new world and we are a nation at war."

Overseas in Iraq, EOD service members continue to serve as part of Combined Joint Task Force Troy, which provides critical counter-improvised explosive device support to the warfighter in a real-time environment.

Speaking about the results of the dedicated work EOD personnel give to the mission in Afghanistan and Iraq, Task Force Troy's first commander, Army Col. Kevin Lutz stated that "hundreds have been saved from injury or death."

There is no greater event to honor the service and sacrifice of those military members, especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice, the colonel said about the Memorial.
Just as they do every year, the community gathered to hear the names of heroes past and watch service members in formal uniform attire place the new names with military honor. A wreath was placed and families were presented folded American flags that once flew over the schoolhouse. An honor guard fired a 21-gun salute and a bugle sounded off Taps. In the end, the chatter of family members filled the once silent air with words of encouragement, greeting and plans for the future.

Fourteen who gave their lives to keep America free could not be present at the ceremony. The memorial ensures they will not be forgotten..

Airmen added to the memorial this year were Capt. Kermit O. Evans; Master Sgt. Brad A. Clemmons; Tech. Sgt. Walter M. Moss; Tech. Sgt. Timothy R. Weiner; Senior Airman Elizabeth A. Loncki; and Senior Airman Daniel B. Miller.

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