More than 500 Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and multinational partners attended a memorial service Jan. 27 to pay their final respects to two Airmen who were killed in Iraq by an improvised explosive device Jan. 22.

Tech. Sgt. Jason Norton, 32, and Staff Sgt. Brian McElroy, 28, were assigned to the 70th Medium Truck Detachment, 586th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron. Both men were deployed from the 3rd Security Forces Squadron at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. The Airmen both left behind wives and children.

The memorial was held at the camp chapel at a forward deployed location. The chapel held a final memorial tribute with photos of the two Airmen. The ceremony included a firing party, a roll call acknowledging their absence and emotional words from friends and colleagues.

The memorial began with “Amazing Grace” being played on the bagpipes to the standing-room-only crowd.

The first speaker was Capt. Kimani Alston, the detachment commander.

“Sergeant Norton was my ‘go to guy’. His last mission was the first for our detachment to that new location. He was one of our best and was excited to go on the dangerous mission,” Captain Alston said. “Sergeant McElroy was chosen to be the driver and a driver must be strong and capable. The fact that he was chosen to drive should speak for itself.”

Col. Mike Trapp, 586th commander, asked everyone to remember why they were there.

“We’re here to remember two Airmen who gave the ultimate sacrifice. They put the welfare of others above their own. Jason and Brian were called upon to join a new group of warriors and be transporters. People were worried the Air Force wouldn’t be up to it, but they were wrong, and the Airmen have made the Air Force and Army proud. They leave behind a legacy of leadership and service that will follow me the rest of my life,” Colonel Trapp said.

Close friends of the two Airmen then stood before the crowd and told personal stories about the friends they will never forget.

“Jason loved NASCAR, hunting and fishing and always had plenty of amusing stories to share,” said Master Sgt. Timothy John. “He loved the squad he commanded and his troops would follow him anywhere. He also loved his family and had very strong family values and we will all miss him.”

Paying tribute to Sergeant McElroy, Staff Sgt. Richard Cleary said, “Brian always made us laugh and he always knew when to jump into a conversation to make us laugh even more. He was a family man and really enjoyed talking to his wife and kids. His mother gave him a gold cross that he always wore around his neck to remind him to never lose his faith. If you look back, remember the good times and remember him as a good friend.”

Near the end of the ceremony Army Chaplain (1st Lt.) Dan Urquhart gave a memorial message and the final roll call was performed.

The synchronized crack of the firing party’s riles echoed into the open chapel doors. With tear-filled eyes, the official party began to render honors to the fallen heroes. After the ceremony ended, dozens of people waited in line to render honors to their lost comrades in arms.

Later that afternoon, more than 600 Airmen with the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing held a memorial retreat in Sergeants Norton and McElroy’s honor. The retreat included a missing man guard mount roll call and a 21 gun salute.

During the memorial retreat, Col. Tim Hale, 386th AEW commander said, “They have left us a bright torch to carry, men and women, fellow warriors, let’s keep the torch moving forward. We owe it to these heroes. Drive on.” 

Editor's note: Another service was held at a different forward deployed location Jan. 26.