Deployed servicemembers honor fallen heroes

Air Force Link ^ | Staff Sgt. Beth Del Vecchio, USAF

[SandRat]

5/27/2008 - KABUL, Afghanistan (AFPN) -- One word was spoken, reflected upon, honored and emulated May 26: devotion.

The servicemembers of the Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan gathered outdoors this morning to honor their fallen brothers and sisters who gave their lives in devotion to their country this Memorial Day.

Coalition forces, civilians and servicemembers saluted the American flag at half-staff during the singing of the U.S. national anthem by Exelena Whitaker, Army Corps of Engineers-Afghanistan.

Winchester, Mass., native, Army Brig. Gen. Andrew Twomey, CSTC-A deputy commanding general, reflected on the words of President Abraham Lincoln's tribute at Gettysburg, eulogizing those who gave, "the last full measure of devotion."

"Servicemembers today, like soldiers of the Civil War, answer the call of their nation. And in return, a nation honors their service and sacrifice," he said.

As General Twomey spoke, he glanced at the wreath placed under the American flag while a detail of servicemembers representing each service stood nearby.

"The connection to comrades in arms, particularly when forged on the battlefield, is in my mind the source from which springs the deepest devotion of the solider," General Twomey said. "While Lincoln, on behalf of the nation, thanks the fallen for their devotion to country, servicemembers here today know that at the point of battle, sacrifice is most urgently called forth on behalf of comrades."

The general concluded his speech with a call to action.

"Today, Memorial Day, we remember the sacrifice and devotion of those who have gone before us," he said. "We honor them with this ceremony, but more importantly we can honor them by equally devoting ourselves to our country, our profession, and our comrades in arms. And like them, be fully prepared to give the last full measure of devotion."

Master Sgt. John Howe, CSTC-A personnel sergeant, narrated the ceremony. He arrived at Camp Eggers less than a month ago and said the ceremony was powerful for him.

"We all gathered here to honor fallen heroes. I listened to General Twomey speak, and I think of the people we have lost," he said.

More than 60 CSTC-A servicemembers have given their lives since the beginning of the war on terrorism.

"It really makes me think of here and now," Sergeant Howe said.

The ceremony concluded with a lone bugler playing Taps. As the final notes drifted to silence, the men and women of Camp Eggers stood in reverence to honor all who came before them and gave their all.

[SandRat]

(Front row, left to right) Brig. Gen. Tod D. Wolters, Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan deputy commanding general, political-military affairs; Bruce Rogers, deputy assistant to the Afghan Ambassador; Army Brig. Gen. Andrew B. Twomey, CSTC-A deputy commanding general; and Command Sgt. Maj. Arthur L. Coleman, CSTC-A command sergeant major, participate in a Memorial Day ceremony May 26 at Camp Eggers in Kabul, Afghanistan. The Memorial Day service was dedicated to the remembrance of fallen servicemembers, particularly the 62 CSTC-A comrades who gave their lives in service to their country. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Beth Del Vecchio)

[SandRat]

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