Military History | How To Make War | Wars Around the World Rules of Use How to Behave on an Internet Forum
Measure of Respect Discussion Board
   Return to Topic Page
Subject: Fallen Comrade Ceremony
    12/17/2004 12:05:58 AM

I attended the Fallen Comrade Ceremony at 2300z (0330local).  There were over 200 people there to show their respect.  They didn't have to be there.  It is 0330 in the morning and very cold, and 200 people of all ranks showed up to stand in formation, be marched onto the flight line, hold a salute for what seemed like an hour (and would have uncomplainingly held it longer if required) and then be marched off the flight line.  This is why I stick with the military, it is the people.  Although the ceremony is impressive and meaningful, when the flag-draped caskets went by I realized that one casket is too many and six is way too many.  Six families times how many extended families times how many friends times how many people won't get to experience the impact of those people's futures.  And then I thought of how many flag-draped caskets the war in Iraq continues to generate.  I am filled with awe that so many continue to make the ultimate sacrifice for their country for people who appreciate them as well as people who don't know what to think as well as people who don't understand our mission in Iraq and here and try to (and do) kill us.  I know these six were most likely not killed by anything other than bad conditions and perhaps faulty instruments but they were here doing the job of trying to rebuild this place and now the next time their families see them after their extended absence is in a flag-draped casket, the same one I just saw the pallbearers gently place into a C-17 at 0330 in the cold Afghanistan morning.

 
I just thought you might want to let those there that knew LTC McMahon know that he had a lot of fellow service members see him off on his last plane journey.
 

Sharon D Filadelfia MAJ
 
Quote    Reply

Show Only Poster Name and Title     Newest to Oldest



 Latest
 News
 
 Most
 Read
 
 Most
 Commented
 Hot
 Topics