{"id":31753,"date":"2012-08-26T07:23:09","date_gmt":"2012-08-26T11:23:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/valorguardians.com\/blog\/?p=31753"},"modified":"2015-01-18T10:34:07","modified_gmt":"2015-01-18T15:34:07","slug":"memories-of-farewells-for-the-fallen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.azuse.cloud\/?p=31753","title":{"rendered":"Farewells for the Fallen"},"content":{"rendered":"

Stu\u2019s article the other day<\/a> \u2013 the one commenting on and quoting Dr. (COL) Frank\u2019s 2006 Stars and Stripes<\/em> article \u2013 brought to the forefront a memory or two of my own.\u00a0 And while all memories aren\u2019t necessarily pleasant, they\u2019re all important.<\/p>\n

Like Dr. Frank, I spent some time at Bagram AB.\u00a0 But unlike Dr. Frank, here I\u2019m not addressing the obvious waste and personal losses inherent in wartime death. Since that was Dr. Frank\u2019s intent his article only briefly mentioned the departure ceremony held at Bagram for the fallen.\u00a0 His article therefore really didn\u2019t convey the impact of that unique sendoff.\u00a0 And even many who\u2019ve served in Afghanistan may not have felt that impact; the public ceremony at Bagram is different than any other I\u2019ve seen.<\/p>\n

So I thought I\u2019d try and describe that ceremony, and its impact, a bit more fully. I apologize in advance if I\u2019m not as eloquent as the good doctor.\u00a0 And I also apologize if anyone finds what follows boring \u2013 or if it brings back memories that might be disturbing.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t that easy to write, so if you\u2019re having a bad day \u2013 well, maybe it\u2019s best to read this another time.\u00a0 Or not at all.<\/p>\n

Why write this at all?\u00a0 Dunno.\u00a0 I guess I thought it was just a natural follow-on to Stu\u2019s article.\u00a0 Or maybe I just needed to write it.<\/p>\n

While I\u2019m using Army-centric language, there\u2019s no intent to slight any other service.\u00a0 My background is Army;\u00a0 I\u2019m simply speaking from a soldier\u2019s point of view.<\/p>\n

\u2014\u2014\u2014<\/p>\n

In war, soldiers die.\u00a0 That is and always has been a universal truth.\u00a0 IMO it\u2019s likely to remain true throughout mankind\u2019s history. Plato was right.<\/p>\n

Soldiers understand all that.\u00a0 And although we don\u2019t like to think of it, I believe soldiers accept the possibility of disability or death as a normal, routine risk to an extent not seen in other professions.\u00a0 We know there\u2019s a good chance we won\u2019t come home from war whole; or, perhaps, not at all.\u00a0 Soldiers know that a primary product of war is death \u2013 ours, or the enemy\u2019s \u2013 and that we may easily be the ones who end up dead.<\/p>\n

We understand, far better than most, that there\u2019s no guarantee we\u2019ll see tomorrow\u2019s sunrise.<\/p>\n

Soldiers also understand that death isn\u2019t limited to war.\u00a0 The profession of arms is inherently dangerous; risk is simply another part of the military environment. Deaths occur regrettably often in peacetime, too \u2013 either in training, or from random chance.<\/p>\n

Acceptance doesn\u2019t make such a loss any less painful.\u00a0 But it does lead to a somewhat different perspective, perhaps, than that of most.\u00a0 As well as to a more open, straightforward means of dealing with sudden loss.<\/p>\n

Still:\u00a0 every loss remains painful; closure is required.\u00a0 So whenever the Grim Reaper visits, virtually all units hold some sort of Fallen Comrade ceremony.<\/p>\n

\u2014\u2014\u2014<\/p>\n

Those who\u2019ve been around the military for a while have almost certainly attended a Fallen Comrade ceremony \u2013 though the title may have been different.\u00a0 In the Army the details of the ceremony may vary but in broad outline they\u2019re similar, whether in peacetime garrison or in war zones:\u00a0 a display of helmet\/weapon\/dogtags\/boots, some words about the deceased, an opportunity to reflect, a brief prayer . . . .\u00a0 All such ceremonies offer the opportunity to reflect on that absolute truth all of us know, but never like to think about: \u201cThere but for the grace of God . . . .\u201d<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve attended a number of such ceremonies over the years; more, frankly, than I prefer to remember.\u00a0 And even some held in Afghanistan \u2013 specifically, those held in Kabul \u2013 were much like those elsewhere:\u00a0 the standard display, the words about the deceased, the prayers, the brief time for reflection . . . and then back to duty.\u00a0 For the living, duty calls and life goes on.<\/p>\n

But at Bagram, the final goodbye for Fallen Comrades was different. Very, very different.\u00a0 And in a way that was dramatic, moving \u2013 and IMO, uniquely apropos.<\/p>\n

\u2014\u2014\u2014<\/p>\n

For those who haven\u2019t been there:\u00a0 Bagram AB is about 30 miles north of Kabul. It is the primary APOE\/APOD for Afghanistan.\u00a0 Virtually everyone in the military arriving in or departing that country does so through Bagram.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a base that\u2019s seen much war during the last 35 years.\u00a0 It was used by the Afghan government in the civil war which started in 1978; by the Russians during their nearly decade-long occupation of\/war in Afghanistan, from 1979-1989; and by multiple factions during the more than decade of Afghan civil war which followed.\u00a0 We took it over shortly after our intervention in Afghanistan began, and have been there since.<\/p>\n

Bagram AB\u00a0 is oriented roughly southwest to northeast.\u00a0 In 2007, the base was still rather long and narrow, with essentially one arterial road \u2013 Disney Avenue.\u00a0 Most of the facilities were strung out along or within a couple of blocks of Disney to the east or west.\u00a0 The runways are to the east of Disney; when I was there in 2007, a large and relatively undeveloped area existed west of the facilities clustered along the western side of Disney.\u00a0 Things doubtless have changed somewhat since then.<\/p>\n

Bagram AB is also where a US KIA in Afghanistan begins the final journey home.<\/p>\n

I\u2019d guess that units in Afghanistan hold internal, more private and traditional ceremonies for their fallen; my unit was fortunate enough not to have any KIAs while I was there, so we never held one.\u00a0 However, at Bagram an additional, public ceremony was also held.\u00a0 I understand it\u2019s still done much the same way today as it was done 5 years ago.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ll describe the Bagram public ceremony, as it was in 2007.<\/p>\n

The ceremony is announced over the base PA system.\u00a0 The initial announcement tells everyone that a Fallen Comrade ceremony will be held at a future time.\u00a0 That time may be hours in the future \u2013 or minutes.\u00a0 The announcement is repeated periodically until shortly before the ceremony itself.<\/p>\n

The ceremony itself is very simple, even though it has many \u201cmoving parts\u201d.\u00a0 Every available person on base who can possibly be spared assembles along Disney Avenue. Time of day for such ceremonies is not set beforehand; it\u2019s based on flight availability.\u00a0\u00a0 Return of KIA remains are accorded highest priority by CENTCOM, and change USAF mission flight schedules accordingly.\u00a0 Thus, whenever the ceremony needs to occur, it happens.\u00a0 0300?\u00a0 Chowtime?\u00a0 Mid-afternoon or mid-morning?\u00a0 It doesn\u2019t matter. <\/em>Whenever a bird is available to depart and return the remains of those KIA to CONUS, the ceremony is held.<\/em><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re not immediately required at your place of duty for operational reasons, you are expected to get yourself down to Disney posthaste and participate.\u00a0 If you\u2019re military, that means in proper uniform.\u00a0 Civilians (there were some then, and are some today) wear their normal work attire.<\/p>\n

The assembled group along Disney Avenue is notified that the ceremony is about to begin.\u00a0 Military assume parade rest; civilians stand quietly and respectfully.<\/p>\n

Near the western end of Disney, a vehicular procession begins.\u00a0 (Though most of Disney runs generally northeast to southwest, near the south end of base it turns virtually due west \u2013 so as I recall, to avoid ambiguity the southern\/western terminus is generally referred to as the \u201cwest end\u201d.) \u00a0\u00a0The procession begins at Mortuary Affairs<\/p>\n

In 2007, the vehicles used were generally HMMWVs pulling trailers; that may have changed since.\u00a0 However, the trailers in the processions in 2007 \u2013 and presumably they still use trailers today \u2013 carry a particularly poignant cargo.<\/p>\n

The trailers carry the flag-draped coffins of US KIAs beginning their final journey home.<\/p>\n

As the procession nears, those lining the road come to attention.\u00a0 As the procession passes, military personnel salute as a final token of respect to those in the coffins passing by.\u00a0 Civilians cover their hearts with their hats or hands.\u00a0 The salute\/honor is held until after the last vehicle \u2013 with its mournful cargo \u2013 has passed by.\u00a0\u00a0 Then one returns to attention.<\/p>\n

The procession proceeds roughly a mile or so along Disney Avenue, receiving silent honors from those assembled as it passes.\u00a0 It then turns east and proceeds to the Bagram flight line.<\/p>\n

At the Bagram flight line, the CG, his staff, and elements of all the units stationed at Bagram are assembled for the final send-off.\u00a0 They render appropriate honors to those beginning their final journey home as their remains are loaded onto waiting aircraft.<\/p>\n

All remain at attention along Disney Avenue until the ceremony\u2019s end is announced, paying their respects.<\/p>\n

The complete ceremony is recorded on video.\u00a0 A DVD of the ceremony is made available to the families of the fallen.<\/p>\n

At the conclusion of the ceremony, an announcement is made that the ceremony has ended.\u00a0 Personnel then return to whatever they were doing prior to the ceremony.<\/p>\n

Yes, it\u2019s a short, simple ceremony.\u00a0 I\u2019d guess it takes 5 or 10 minutes.<\/p>\n

Yet the ceremony is also incredibly moving and powerful \u2013 so powerfully moving that I simply cannot adequately express the impact. It is a correct and dignified way of paying respects to a fallen brother- or sister-in-arms.\u00a0 I personally cannot conceive of a more fitting farewell for a fallen comrade than for them to pass through a cordon of literally thousands of their peers rendering final honors.\u00a0 It\u2019s uniquely apropos.<\/p>\n

Standing alongside Disney Avenue, saluting,\u00a0during one of these ceremonies is something you just don\u2019t forget.<\/p>\n

\u2014\u2014\u2014<\/p>\n

On occasion, civilian visitors are present.\u00a0 And on those occasions the impact of the ceremony on those visitors is particularly noticeable.<\/p>\n

One such ceremony occurred on an August day in 2007.\u00a0 At the time, the NFL Cheerleading Squad for the Buffalo Bills \u2013 the Buffalo Jills \u2013 was visiting Bagram AB as part of a MWR tour; my duties also brought me to Bagram that day.\u00a0\u00a0 Prior to the ceremony, the Jills were a typically energetic, outgoing group of attractive young women. Indeed, their visit very nearly caused a fight \u2013 because during their visit, they\u2019d all been convinced to sign a \u201cTerrible Towel\u201d belonging to an off-duty Pittsburgh Steeler fan.\u00a0 The owner later very nearly went ballistic when he discovered what his buddies had convinced the Jills to do.<\/p>\n

Not long after the Jills had signed the Terrible Towel, there came the announcement of an immediate Fallen Comrade ceremony.\u00a0 Immediate, as in 10 or 15 minutes from now.<\/p>\n

Along with everyone else, the Jills proceeded to Disney Avenue.\u00a0 They stood with the troops, on the east side of the Disney near the entrance to the JOC compound.\u00a0 I was standing across the road, and could see them clearly.<\/p>\n

That day, a procession of five<\/em> flag-draped coffins traveled down Disney Avenue beginning their final journey home.<\/p>\n

The ladies from the Buffalo Jills were indeed properly respectful.\u00a0 But afterwards, their demeanor was changed.\u00a0 It was obvious that they now realized war wasn\u2019t a \u201cgame\u201d being played for dollars and accolades, like the sporting \u201ccombat\u201d they were used to observing up close and personal.\u00a0 And afterwards, they were \u2013 for a while, anyway \u2013 a much more somber group of women than they had been earlier in the day.<\/p>\n

How much longer, I can\u2019t say.\u00a0 They left not long afterwards; my duties required me to remain.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s rather hard to forget standing at attention, saluting, on a hot summer day while 5 flag-draped coffins pass by a few feet away.\u00a0 That\u2019s true even when you\u2019re a hardened-by-life, cynical middle-aged guy who\u2019s seen a number of such ceremonies before, and who didn\u2019t know any of those beginning their final journey home.\u00a0 I can only imagine what it was like for a bunch of bubbly 20-something young ladies who\u2019d possibly only attended one or two funerals in their lifetime.<\/p>\n

But if I had to guess, I\u2019d be willing to bet that that was the event they will remember most vividly about their time in Afghanistan.\u00a0 I certainly know it\u2019s something I won\u2019t ever forget.<\/p>\n

Rest in peace, my brothers- and sisters- in-arms.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

(Author’s Postscript<\/strong>:\u00a0 the original version of this article contained a minor error.\u00a0 It\u2019s been revised to correct that error, as well as to include additional details concerning Bagram\u2019s ceremony not previously known by the author.\u00a0 Thanks to regular TAH reader TopGoz for the correction and new information.\u00a0 TopGoz was personally involved in arranging these ceremonies in 2008-2009.\u00a0 He was therefore privy to information concerning the ceremony I did not have when I wrote the original version.)<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Stu\u2019s article the other day \u2013 the one commenting on and quoting Dr. (COL) Frank\u2019s 2006 … Farewells for the Fallen<\/span>Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":623,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[84,7,74,121],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-31753","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-military-issues","category-terror-war","category-the-warrior-code","category-war-stories"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.azuse.cloud\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31753","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.azuse.cloud\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.azuse.cloud\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.azuse.cloud\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/623"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.azuse.cloud\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=31753"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.azuse.cloud\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31753\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.azuse.cloud\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=31753"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.azuse.cloud\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=31753"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.azuse.cloud\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=31753"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}