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Airmen remember the price of freedom

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Nathan Gallahan
  • 407th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs
ALI BASE, Iraq (AFPN) --  He waited until everyone went to bed so he could work in peace. He gently wiped away the sand from the badges and polished them to a shine that reflected the intense light from the lamps pointed in their direction.

He worked methodically, cleaning the memorial representing the Airmen who paid the ultimate sacrifice for freedom during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Six hours before a technical sergeant assigned here began his task, members of the 407th Air Expeditionary Group rendered honors to those fallen Airmen and to the United States flag in a retreat ceremony they repeat weekly.

"Our flag is a source of great pride and inspiration. It reminds us of the sacrifices made throughout our history, in the defense of freedom and liberty," said Col. Matthew Dorschel, the 407th Air Expeditionary Group commander.

The price Americans have paid for freedom may never be completely documented, but Airmen at Ali Base keep that price in mind during each ceremony.

"We stand out here to honor those who have fallen before us," said Senior Airman Jesse Schmidt, a 407th Provost Marshall's Office military police Airman deployed from Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. "We're not just standing out here for those who have fallen in (the war on terrorism), but for all the Americans who have died for freedom."

While standing in formation during the ceremony, "I think about the names on that memorial right there and the sacrifices they made for the freedom of others," said Master Sgt. Demetrica Jefferis, the 407th AEG Personnel Support for Contingency Operations team chief, deployed from Eglin AFB, Fla. "It's a custom that should never die -- it's our foundation of why we serve. If someone forgets that, they should just leave."

"As Airmen serving our country in Iraq, we are privileged to pay our respect in a small, but meaningful way," the colonel said.

Just as he considers the ceremony small and meaningful, the sergeant who cleans the memorial late at night believes keeping the badges polished is meaningful also.

Before he finishes, he puts a little extra shine on one of the badges, because in 2006 he was in Baghdad, and 25 meters away his friend and brother-in-arms was shot and killed fighting for the same freedoms so many have died for before.

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