When a person enlists in the Army, he/she is called a Soldier. When a Soldier deploys in support of a combat/contingency operation, he/she is called a Warrior. When a Warrior falls in combat, he/she is called a Hero. Some of you may already know that I am now operating out of a different AO (Area of Operation) and I will, on future posts connect the dots but today I want to remember the Heroes.
My first week on the FOB I had a chance to bond with my new battle buddies and counterparts. Also on that same week, my new family lost one of their own in a complex attack. When we lose a Hero, we send them away with a ramp ceremony that is announced over the loud speakers several hours before. For the first time, I decided to attend the ceremony not knowing what to expect.
2000hrs, the announcement was made that the ceremony was going to take place at 2145. We arrived approximately 2130, lining up on both sides of the pathway in the position of parade rest. 30 minutes go by and another announcement was made that the ceremony was delayed one hour and yet, none of us moved. At 2230, my arms were going numb, my legs cramping up and then I started thinking of what kind of Worrier the fallen Hero was. I thought of His family, parents, wife, kids, how would they react to the news of their loved one. It was now 2330 and the stiffness on my back was making it unbearable to stand in formation but then I started thinking of how the Hero I never had a chance to meet suffered for hours before passing earlier that day. What He risked and ultimately sacrificed while honorably serving his country. From the corner of my eyes, I noticed the sea of Warriors and Civilians doubled in size, all standing in the position of parade rest, in the dark. It is now 0015 and the Task Force Commander walks towards the helicopter with a sense of urgency. Once he reached the helicopter, the Task Force Sergeant Major called the Task Force to attention. As the Hero's remains slowly made its way down the pathway, each Warrior extended and held a salute until the flag draped stretcher cleared their position. It was now 0030 when the Chaplin announced "let us pray". Starting from the first Warrior closest to the Hero, each Spartan went down to one knee creating a wave like affect and bowed their heads.Since that day, I have been to two other ceremonies and all of them will have a lasting impact on how I view Memorial Day. Memorial Day is also the day my family observes my mother's and two cousins' birthday, all three still being a major source of inspiration in my life. Some of you reading this may find it inappropriate discussing birthday celebration in a story about fallen Heroes. Take a moment to think of why those Heroes fought. I "fight" so my mother and my two cousins can live free to celebrate another year of life, and move forward to inspire others like me to live happy, work hard and achieve all they can in life.
As you read this and feel tempted to thank me for my service, I challenge you to instead find a person who has lost a loved one and thank them for their sacrifice. Don't feel guilty for having a fun Memorial Day. After all, that's why "They" made the sacrifice.
In the words of Task Force Spartan,
Sparta Lives!
TF Spartan Memorial
ACS
