TAAC-E recognizes fallen heroes on Memorial Day in Afghanistan

Photo By Sean Dath | Service members assigned to Train, Advise, Assist, Command-East participated in a Memorial Day 5K run at Operational Base Fenty in honor of Cpl. John "Doc" Dawson, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division and all other fallen heroes, May 25. The run was organized by the USO who also provided runners with memorial bracelets to honor the hero killed in action in Jalalabad city April 8, 2015. (Photo by Sean Dath, TAAC-E Public Affairs)  

AFGHANISTAN

05.25.2015

Story by Capt. Charles Emmons 

Resolute Support Headquarters

LAGHMAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Service members from 3rd Infantry Division and 3rd Brigade Combat Team “Rakkasans”, 101st Airborne Division serving with Train, Advise, Assist, Command-East under Resolute Support, conducted Memorial Day events May 25, on Tactical Base Gamberi and Operational Base Fenty. The two locations are the easternmost NATO bases in Afghanistan.

Both bases started the day with a run in remembrance of fallen service members. Many wore a black memorial bracelet inscribed with the name “Cpl. John “Doc” Dawson”. Dawson was a 3rd BCT, 101st Abn. Div. Soldier who was killed on April 8 in Jalalabad City. Many observing the day knew him personally.

Some service members at TB Gamberi clipped name cards to their shirts bearing the names of other lost heroes who touched their lives.

After the run, those stationed at TB Gamberi raised more than 70 American flags up the base flag pole according to the protocol associated with flying the colors at half-mast. The flags were then presented to participating service members as keepsakes to honor the day.

In the afternoon, the command team on TB Gamberi held a ceremony recognizing Memorial Day. Soldiers placed wreaths and personal mementos next to a memorial display of an M4 carbine rifle, combat boots, and a combat helmet mounted on a platform.

“Many of you have deployed before. Many of you out there have friends, loved ones, leaders and soldiers you’ve lost in these conflicts between Afghanistan and Iraq,” said Col. J.B. Vowell, the deputy commander of TAAC-E and brigade commander for 3rd BCT, 101st Abn. Div. “You have personal connections to them. And even if you don’t, you’re in the culture of the U.S. military that provides you the understanding of the dignity and respect this day brings to all of us.”

• Date Taken: 05.25.2015
• Date Posted: 05.26.2015 08:14
• Story ID: 164506
• Location: AF
• Hometown: FORT CAMPBELL, KY, US
• Hometown: FORT STEWART, GA, US
• Hometown: WORCESTER, MA, US