Mortuary Affairs Soldiers Say Good-by to One of Their Own

Photo By Master Sgt. Paul Tuttle | Sgt. 1st Class Christine Tedder calls final roll during a memorial service for Staff Sgt. Gregory L. Elam in the chapel at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, Dec. 15. Elam, 39, and a native of Columbus, Ga., died from a non-combat related incident during physical training, Dec. 11. Elam was a member of the 54th Quartermaster Company (Mortuary Affairs) from Fort Lee, Va.  

KANDAHAR, AFGHANISTAN

12.26.2007

Story by Sgt. 1st Class Paul Tuttle 

1st Theater Sustainment Command

Sgt. 1st Class Paul C. Tuttle
1st Sustainment Command (Theater) Public Affairs Office

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Members of the 54th Quartermaster Company (Mortuary Affairs) said good-bye to one of their own at a memorial service, Dec. 15.

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Gregory L. Elam died from a non-combat related incident during a physical training run, Dec. 11.

"This is hard. This is so very hard," Staff Sgt. Jennifer Sweet, a mortuary affairs liaison officer to the U.S. National Support Element, told the assembly of personnel gathered at the Kandahar Airfield chapel. "Wednesday morning, we sent a hero home – one of us. He was our co-worker, fellow NCO, mentor, friend and brother."

Elam, the mortuary affairs collection point team leader for the 54th QC (MA) from Fort Lee, Va., deployed to Afghanistan in June 2007 to support Operation Enduring Freedom.

The 39 year-old Columbus, Ga., native entered service in the U.S. Army in 1986 as a Bradley Fighting Vehicle mechanic. He left active duty after several years to further his education, and joined the Army Reserve after becoming a chaplain's assistant.

After Sept. 11, 2001, he left the Reserve and re-entered active duty as a mortuary affairs specialist. In August 2006, he joined the 54th as a squad leader and platoon sergeant.

Lt. Col. Kailon Dickens, commander of Logistics Task Force - 82 of the U.S. National Support Element at Kandahar said that Elam was a passionate, caring professional.

"How did he touch so many of us?" he asked. "Because he and his team were responsible for providing dignity, reverence and respect" when processing and evacuating the remains of 46 coalition personnel and numerous Afghan security forces personnel and citizens during Elam's tenure.

Dickens, a native of Williamsport, Pa., recalled eating lunch with Elam a week prior to Elam's death.

"I asked him why he became a mortuary affairs specialist," he said. "And he (Elam) said, 'Because I love taking care of people who have made the ultimate sacrifice.'"

Sweet, from Tyler, Texas, told the assembly that their job as mortuary affairs personnel is often difficult.

"We hide our emotions and take care of our fallen," she said. "Once it is over and done and they are on their way home, then we talk about it behind closed doors. ... I know that Wednesday morning, you were proud of the way you were honored. It's the least we could do for you."

Elam's first sergeant, Sgt. 1st Class Shawn Harris, from Moultrie, Ga., told the assembly of coalition personnel that Elam's loss was something he didn't expect.

"When I came over here as the first sergeant, I knew I was going back home with everybody," he said. "But never did I imagine I would be one short. But in my eyes, I'm still going back with 54 Soldiers, because even though Staff Sergeant Elam is not physically here, he will always be with us in our hearts, spiritually."

Sgt. Sara Maze, of Kerman, Calif., assistant mortuary affairs team leader, recalled Elam's fondness for cars and sunsets.

"I know that he is now in a better place, with his son right beside him, and with a great deal and variety of hot rods and cars," she said, referring to Elam's son, whom he lost while the boy was a small child. She concluded her remarks by reciting the British author, David Harris' poem, "Just Beyond the Sunset."

Pfc. James Berman, of Leesburg, Va., and Pfc. Cory Jacks, of Marion, Ind., members of the 54th, each spoke of the mentorship and friendship shared with Elam.

First Sgt. Christine Tedder, of Fayetteville, N.C., called the final roll and three volleys of rifle salutes echoed through the Chapel followed by the somber notes of Taps.

Soldiers from the commanding general of Combined Joint Logistics Task Force - 82, Maj. Gen. David Rodriguez, to the youngest private there rendered honors at the end of the service.

All presented slow, reverent final salutes and some placed tokens of tribute on the display of a helmet, rifle, boots and dog tags. Soldiers somberly placed coins, unit patches or flags ripped from their shoulders on the display.

Elam was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal and the NATO Medal posthumously.

He is survived by his mother, wife, daughters and a step-daughter.

• Date Taken: 12.26.2007
• Date Posted: 12.27.2007 12:42
• Story ID: 15025
• Location: KANDAHAR, AF