Commentary: 75th LRS ... always remember

  • Published
  • By Capt Michael A. Carter
  • 75th Logistics Readiness Squadron
HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah --  On the afternoon of Nov. 8, the men and women of the 75th Logistics Readiness Squadron gathered to reflect on the generations of veterans who paved the way for our country. The 75th LRS wanted to pay special tribute to the nine members of the Air Force Logistics Readiness family who have died in the line of duty during Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. The squadron formed up in front of an empty pair of boots, a set of body armor, and an upturned M4 rifle with a helmet perched on top and blank dog tags hanging low. This sacred symbol of the fallen soldier tells of the sacrifice and loss that many have endured over the past 237 years.

Master Sgt. Paul Bohn and Staff Sgt. Patrick Gallagher set the tone by highlighting the transformation of Armistice Day, which recognized the nine million soldiers who died in World War II, to Veterans Day, which honors veterans of all eras. Airman 1st Class Ginnethon Pauulu sang the national anthem, and Chaplin Steven Brosk gave a stirring perspective on Veterans Day.

Lt. Col. Terry Bowles, 75th Logistics Readiness Squadron commander, called the assembled squadron to attention as the final tribute to fallen brothers and sisters began. The names, units, dates and locations of their sacrifices for the nine fallen heroes were slowly read aloud. As a name was spoken, a picture was slowly carried forward, hung on the wall, and saluted. A tenth picture of the Prisoner of War and Missing in Action flag was brought forward to pay tribute to the 83,403 members of all services who never made it home.

To complete the ceremony, the 75th Logistics Readiness Squadron gave a final salute to fallen comrades. On the command of "Present Arms" all snapped a sharp salute and held it. If the salute were held for a decade, it still would not be enough to truly honor their sacrifices. As the ceremony came to its inevitable close, members were reminded to take the holiday and remember those who came before and to honor those still in harm's way and pray for their safe return.

Afterward, everyone gathered around the pictures to reflect on the faces of the Logistics Readiness family who fell in the line of duty. Silent prayers were said, memories were shared, and all recognized the sacrifice that our way of life requires.

Members of the fallen Logistics Readiness Family include:

Master Sgt. Randy Gillespie, a Fuels Management Senior Non-Commissioned Officer, assigned to the 56th Logistics Readiness Squadron, Luke Air Force Base, who was killed in action during a firefight with insurgent forces on July 9, 2007, outside of Camp Stone, Herat Province, Afghanistan.

Tech. Sgt. Bruce Brown, a Fuels Management Non-Commissioned Officer, assigned to the 78th Logistics Readiness Squadron, Robins AFB, who died of injuries sustained from a vehicle accident on Sept. 4, 2003, at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar.

Staff Sgt. Dustin Peters, a Vehicle Operations Non-Commissioned Officer, assigned to the 314th Logistics Readiness Squadron, Little Rock AFB, who was killed in action when his vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device on July 11, 2004, near Forward Operating Base Summeral, Iraq.

Staff Sgt. Alejandro Ayala, a Logistics Plans Non-Commissioned Officer, assigned to the 90th Logistics Readiness Squadron, FE Warren AFB, who died of injuries sustained from a vehicle accident on Nov. 19, 2007, in Kuwait.

Staff Sgt. Timothy Bowles, a Fire Truck Maintenance Non-Commissioned Officer, assigned to the 3rd Logistics Readiness Squadron, Elmendorf AFB, who was killed in action when his vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device on March 15, 2009, near Kot, Afghanistan.

Senior Airman Ashton Goodman, a Vehicle Operations Airman, assigned to the 43rd Logistics Readiness Squadron, Pope AFB, who died of injuries sustained from an improvised explosive device on May 26, 2009, near Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan.

Airman 1st Class Carl Anderson Jr., a Vehicle Operations Airman, assigned to the 3rd Logistics Readiness Squadron, Elmendorf AFB, who was killed in action by an improvised explosive device on Aug. 29, 2004, outside of Mosul, Iraq.

Airman 1st Class Eric Barnes, a Vehicle Operations Airman, assigned to the 90th Logistics Readiness Squadron, FE Warren AFB, who was killed in action when his vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device on June 10, 2007, 100 miles south of Baghdad, Iraq.

Airman 1st Class Zachary Cuddeback, a Vehicle Operations Airman, assigned to the 86th Vehicle Readiness Squadron, Ramstein Air Base, who died as a result of small arms fire on March 2, 2011 at the Frankfurt International Airport.

We dedicate this to the memory of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. We strive to keep their memory alive and never forget what they did with their lives.