Kristen Johnson, widow of Senior Airman Daniel Johnson, tries to keep her composure after receiving a folded flag from Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz during the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Memorial ceremony May 7, 2011, at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. General Schwartz also presented a flag to Senior Airman Michael Buras’ widow, Emily, at the ceremony. Fifteen new names were added to the memorial wall this year. The total, which includes all services, now stands at 269. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)
Staff Sgt. Lindsay Ahonen, 366th Training Squadron Det. 3, salutes Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz after passing him a flag during the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Memorial ceremony May 7, 2011, at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. General Schwartz presented flags to the widows of two fallen EOD Airmen from last year during the ceremony -- Senior Airmen Michael Buras and Daniel Johnson. Fifteen new names were added to the memorial wall this year. The total, which includes all services, now stands at 269. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)
U.S. Army Soldiers hold American flags to be presented to the families of fallen Army explosive ordnance disposal technicians during this year’s EOD Memorial ceremony May 7 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Fifteen new names were added to the memorial wall this year. The total, which includes all services, now stands at 269. The Army added five names - Specialist Wade Slack, Staff Sgt.s Shane Barnard, Derek Farley, Matthew West and Capt. Jason McMahon. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)
Chief Warrant Officer Ahonen reads the names of the fallen Marine Corps explosive ordnance disposal technicians during a memorial ceremony May 7 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Fifteen new names were added to the memorial wall this year. The total, which includes all services, now stands at 269. The Marine Corps added eight names to the wall – Staff Sgt.s Adam Perkins, Joshua Cullins, Jordan Emrick, Gunnery Sgt.s Christopher Eastman, Floyd Holley, Justin Schmalstieg, Master Sgt. Daniel Fedder and Sgt. Jason Smith. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)
Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. James F. Amos, was the guest speaker at this year’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal memorial ceremony May 7 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Fifteen new names were added to the memorial wall this year. The total, which includes all services, now stands at 269. The Marine Corps added eight names to their wall this year. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)
Rows of explosive ordnance disposal Airmen fill the stands at this year’s EOD Memorial ceremony May 7 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Fifteen new names were added to the memorial wall this year. The total, which includes all services, now stands at 269. The Air Force added two names to its wall - Senior Airmen Michael Buras and Daniel Johnson. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)
A Soldier salutes after presenting an American flag to a colonel during the Explosive Ordnance Disposal memorial ceremony May 7 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Fifteen new names were added to the memorial wall this year. The total, which includes all services, now stands at 269. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)
Emily Buras, widow of Senior Airman Michael Buras, reacts to the 21-gun salute during the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Memorial ceremony May 7 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Fifteen new names were added to the memorial wall this year. The total, which includes all services, now stands at 269. Airman Buras and Senior Airman Daniel Johnson were added to the Air Force wall. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)
Capt. Schmidt and Gunnery Sgt. Carroll move toward the Explosive Ordnance Disposal memorial to lay a wreath in front of the Marine Corps wall during the ceremony May 7 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Fifteen new names were added to the memorial wall this year. The total, which includes all services, now stands at 269. The Marine Corps added eight names to the wall – Staff Sgt.s Adam Perkins, Joshua Cullins, Jordan Emrick, Gunnery Sgt.s Christopher Eastman, Floyd Holley, Justin Schmalstieg, Master Sgt. Daniel Fedder and Sgt. Jason Smith. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)
A Marine widow accepts an American Flag flown over the Explosive Ordnance Disposal memorial during the annual ceremony May 7 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Fifteen new names were added to the memorial wall this year. The total, which includes all services, now stands at 269. The Marine Corps added eight names to the wall – Staff Sgt.s Adam Perkins, Joshua Cullins, Jordan Emrick, Gunnery Sgt.s Christopher Eastman, Floyd Holley, Justin Schmalstieg, Master Sgt. Daniel Fedder and Sgt. Jason Smith. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)
Joy Buras hugs her daughter-in-law Emily, widow of Senior Airman Michael Buras, after the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Memorial ceremony May 7 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Fifteen new names were added to the memorial wall this year. The total, which includes all services, now stands at 269. Airman Buras and Senior Airman Daniel Johnson were added to the Air Force wall. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)
Chief Master Sgt. Albert Schneider and Maj. Jason Warnick, 366th Training Squadron Det. 3, move away from the memorial wall after laying a wreath in front of the Air Force wall during the explosive ordnance disposal memorial ceremony May 7 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Fifteen new names were added to the memorial wall this year. The total, which includes all services, now stands at 269. Airman Buras and Senior Airman Daniel Johnson were added to the Air Force wall. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)
A Marine officer salutes the widow of a fallen explosive ordnance disposal technician after presenting an American Flag flown over the memorial during a ceremony May 7 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Fifteen new names were added to the memorial wall this year. The total, which includes all services, now stands at 269. The Marine Corps added eight names to the wall – Staff Sgts. Adam Perkins, Joshua Cullins, Jordan Emrick, Gunnery Sgt.s Christopher Eastman, Floyd Holley, Justin Schmalstieg, Master Sgt. Daniel Fedder and Sgt. Jason Smith. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)
Emily Buras (middle), widow of Senior Airman Michael Buras, surrounds herself with family during the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Memorial ceremony May 7 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Fifteen new names were added to the memorial wall this year. The total, which includes all services, now stands at 269. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)
Senior Airman Nicholas Cooper, 96th Air Base Wing honor guard, closes the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Memorial ceremony by playing Taps May 7 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Fifteen new names were added to the memorial wall this year. The total, which includes all services, now stands at 269. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)
Chief Petty Officer Mike Byrd, Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal School, explains a bomb component to the families members of fallen EOD technician Senior Airman Michael Buras May 7. Airman Buras' name was added to the EOD memorial wall during a ceremony earlier that day. Fifteen new names were added to the memorial wall this year. The total, which includes all services, now stands at 269. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)
Navy Lt. Matt Malone, division officer at the Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal School, dons the bomb suit during a demonstration at the school house May 7. Demonstrations and displays were available to the visitors who'd attended the EOD Memorial ceremony that day. Fifteen new names were added to the memorial wall this year. The total, which includes all services, now stands at 269. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)
5/9/2011 - EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- "We assemble here today to remember the sacrifice of EOD technicians and comfort their loved ones left behind."
With those words, Capt. Adam Guziewicz, Naval School Explosive Ordnance Disposal commander, welcomed almost 3,000 people to the 42nd annual memorial service honoring EOD technicians past and present.
Fifteen names of EOD technicians killed last year were added to the wall, bringing the total of technicians killed in combat since World War II to 269.
Numerous dignitaries from all services attended the event, including the Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. James F. Amos. General Amos spoke directly to the families of the fallen.
"I'm humbled to walk among you this morning and share in this unique opportunity to commemorate and honor our EOD warriors, each one is a genuine American hero and a national treasure," he said.
General Amos spoke about the camaraderie in the EOD community and the great sacrifices each technician is willing to make. He reminded those in attendance that every technician, regardless of service, begins their career as a student at the school which stands across from the memorial. Platoons from each service stood watch during the ceremony.
"The four services standing together in one place at one memorial forever honoring their heroes in the common mission they all were a part of," General Amos said. "This one wall represents a single team fighting together. No individual whose name is inscribed stood alone nor did they fall alone."
The general reminded those present that EOD operations continue today in both Afghanistan and Iraq, missions which are saving lives.
"You move toward danger while others flee, you create access on the battlefield, you clear compounds, you permit movement down dusty roads and ultimately you make an area safe for the people who live there. "
EOD Chief Demetrius O'Halloran, who is currently an instructor at the school, remembered his friend, EOD technician Tony Randolph. Chief O'Halloran said the two were together for about a year before he left for Iraq. EOD Tech Randolph remained in Afghanistan where he was killed in 2009.
"It was just devastating when it's one of your buddies," Chief O'Halloran said. "You never forget them or get over it and you don't want to get over it. I look back on the good times we had when we did operations together."
General Amos promised the families they would not be forgotten. He said the nation's responsibilities do not end at the gravesite.
"We owe each of you than our debt of gratitude. We are honor bound to keep. You embody all that is honorable and good about the American spirit."
