Mortuary Affairs Soldiers Prepare Fallen For The Trip Home
(October 28, 2010) |
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KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - The arrival of a fallen service
member is marked by the lowering of the national colors to half
mast; it is a reminder to all who bear witness, of the sacrifice
made by those who chose to serve the nation above all else. Somewhat
behind the scenes, a dedicated group of soldiers have already begun
the important process to send these heroes home.
For the soldiers of the 111th Quartermaster Company, who run the
mortuary affairs collection point at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan,
ensuring that the nation's fallen are returned to the United States
in a timely and respectful manner is both their job and their
highest honor.
It is their responsibility to create a detailed and accurate catalog
of the personal effects and prepare the remains of the fallen for
transfer to Dover Air Force Base, Del., where the autopsy and final
preparations are performed prior to the servicemember being returned
to their families for burial.
“The soldiers have a passion for their jobs. If you talk to any one
of them, they'll tell you how serious it is for them to make sure
that everything is done right from the minute the remains are
received,” said Capt. Linda Wynn, 111th Quartermaster Company.
commander. “It's very important that we make sure there is not one
step that is missed.”
Wynn deployed previously to Camp Taji, Iraq, as a military police
officer. Two soldiers from her unit were killed. She said being in
command of a mortuary affairs unit has helped her to “close the
loop” on her grief because she knows that those Soldiers were
treated with compassion and respect.
This deployment represents a new mission and a new set of challenges
as a leader. Sgt. Maj. Frank Rivero, the senior mortuary
noncommissioned officer in the Army, has said that one in three
mortuary affairs specialists will experience some form of post
traumatic stress disorder. As their commander, Wynn understands her
role in providing positive outlets and resources to keep her
soldiers on track.
“I try to keep my soldiers occupied and make sure they understand
their jobs,” said Wynn, a Dolphin, Va., native. “We also try to
provide them with resilience training and combat stress training, to
make sure they are able to release those things that they see --
those things that might be taking a mental toll on them.”
Leadership has been pivotal for the 111th QM Company during the
first month of deployment to KAF. Many of its soldiers are both new
to the Army and also to deployments.
“A day doesn't go by that I don't tell our Soldiers how proud I am
of them,” said Sfc. Class Timothy Davis. “I have six brand new
soldiers right out of AIT [advanced individual training], first
deployment, first of anything and not one issue so far. That just
says great things about them personally.”
Davis has been in the Army for 15 years. He previously served in the
infantry until a knee injury forced him to change job fields. This
is his third deployment with a mortuary affairs unit. He said he has
enjoyed working with his young soldiers and seeing their enthusiasm.
“These soldiers want to do everything to perfection. That's why I am
really excited about the team that I have now, because that's their
mindset,” said Davis, a Wynnewood, Okla., native.
Pvt. Tene Brito, a Tampa, Fla., native, is one of the new 111th QM
Company soldiers. She has been in the Army for approximately one
year and is currently working toward a bachelor's degree in criminal
justice. She is the first member of her family to join the military,
and she said that many people were surprised by her decision.
“It was just something I knew that I wanted to do. To say I did
something. It's good,” said Brito.
Brito said that her biggest challenge has been in creating an
emotional distance from her job. She was afraid that she would be
too sad to do her job effectively. The first month taught her the
importance of staying in touch with her family and also her fianc�e,
who is currently deployed to Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan.
“I am going to be proud that I made it through this deployment. I
didn't think I was strong enough, but I've already proved something
to myself,” Brito said.
At Fort Lee, Va., where the company is based, there is a
hand-written letter from a family thanking the unit for the
respectful service the unit provided to their loved one. This is a
responsibility the unit takes to heart.
“What brings it home is going through the personal effects and
seeing pictures of babies and young wives; that's what tough,” Davis
said. “That's the reason why you pay the respect that you do because
of the sacrifice that they made, but it's also the people they leave
behind at home. It's about their sacrifices too. They deserve the
respect that we give them.” |
By Army Spc. Jennifer Spradlin
16th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
Copyright 2010 | |
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