2nd Annual EOD Memorial Forward held at Camp Victory

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

05.18.2005

Courtesy Story

DVIDS Hub       

Army Sgt. Michael J. Carden
MNC-I PAO
May 8, 2005

EOD

CAMP VICTORY, Iraq -- More than 50 explosive ordnance disposal service members and civilians serving throughout Iraq gathered for the 2nd Annual EOD Memorial (Forward) May 7 at Al-Faw Palace, Camp Victory, to honor the memory and sacrifice of EOD technicians who lost their lives during past year.

The evening began with toasts and tributes to the fallen EOD techs and their families, including a picture slideshow of EOD techs in action during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

A table and setting "in the place of honor" served as a reminder to those in attendance 'that all of our soldiers could not be here with us" on this occasion, said 1st Lt. Phil Cordaro, officer-in-charge, personnel operations, 184th Ordnance Battalion (EOD), Fort Gillem, Ga.

"The table is small and is set for one -- symbolizing the facility of a prisoner -- alone against his oppressors and the singular life given in defense of our nation," said Cordaro, who was the narrator for the evening.

"The single yellow rose inside the vase reminds us of the families and loved ones who kept the faith and remember. The glass is inverted, for they cannot toast with us tonight."

The event is intended to replicate the EOD Memorial Ball, which is held every year in May at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., but for those EOD techs who are deployed to Iraq, said Command Sgt. Maj. Timothy Udelhofen, sergeant major, 184th EOD Bn.

"The EOD field is a very close community," Udelhofen said. "When one of us dies, we all feel it. This is just our way to remember them and pay our respects."

The events are held simultaneously, preceding a ceremony the following day at Eglin AFB to add the names of the past year's fallen EOD techs to the EOD Memorial Wall.

The memorial consists of four cenotaphs, each representing its own branch of service. They are engraved with the names of 182 Army, Marine, Navy and Air Force EOD techs who have died on active-duty as a result of an EOD operation. The first names date back to World War II.

"If you could see the memorial ceremony they have at Eglin (AFB) every year â?¦ it's amazing," Udelhofen said. "We've lost several (EOD techs) this year. I'm glad I'm here now.

If I was attending the memorial it would be really hard on me."

This year the names of four Soldiers and two Marines were added to the wall. All six were killed while performing missions in Iraq. Their names will live on and always be remembered by their comrades, Udelhofen said.

"It's important to remember those who have fallen, especially those in (Iraq)," said British Maj. Gen. Mark Mans, deputy commanding general, Multi-National Corps -- Iraq.

"It is my privilege and an honor to be here with you to remembered those Soldiers and Marines who lost their lives." Mans was the evening's guest speaker.

He was commissioned into the Corps of Royal Engineers from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, England in 1974. He has spent the majority of his 30-year-career dealing with ordnance and improvised explosive devices, he said.

"I've been involved with EOD and dealt with IED issues throughout my entire career," Mans said. He commanded British troops in Northern Ireland, Bosnia and in the Middle East during the first Gulf War.

"IEDs have been around for many, many years. It's nothing new. Counter-IED issues â?¦ that's where the changes have happened."

Mans said there has been great improvements in counter-IED equipment over the years, but counter-IED personnel have made the greatest contribution. Personnel such as the EOD techs are the most important element in reducing the threat of IEDs.

"The human who is brave and courageous, well-trained and skillful â?¦ that's the person we want," Mans said to the EOD techs. "You guys epitomize that in every since. You guys and girls are at the forefront of the IED fight."

Near the evening's end, the newest and oldest graduate of the EOD school were recognized by cutting the first pieces of a cake, decorated with icing in the design of the EOD badge worn by all EOD school graduates.

This signifies the old always being faithful and the new carrying on the EOD tradition, Udelhofen said.

Jim Ennis, project manager for a civilian contracted ordnance disposal company working in Iraq, was the oldest graduate. He completed EOD School in Sept. 1962 and retired in 1981 as a Lt. Commander in the Navy EOD branch.

1st Lt. Sarah Treveloni, executive officer, 38th Ordnance Company (EOD), Fort Stewart, Ga., was the most recent graduate.
She said graduating and earning her EOD badge was one the proudest moments of her life.

She completed the year-long course Feb. 25, only to find herself almost immediately deployed to Iraq. She and her unit arrived to Iraq the first week in May.

"Being here makes you realize the reality of our job," Treveloni said. "I know what the risks are, but I know we make Soldiers safer because of what we do. That's what attracted me to EOD in the first place."
Udelhofen said it takes a dedicated person to be an EOD tech.

"Even when they are not deployed, they're training, learning the latest tactics, techniques and procedures in dealing with explosive ordnance. They're constantly risking their own lives to make the lives of others safer," he said.

"The hardest walk in the world is when a guy puts on a bomb suit and walks towards a suspect item or vehicle, knowing that it's a bomb and that it could blow up," Udelhofen said. "You've got to be dedicated. To me there is no greater job than being an EOD tech."

• Date Taken: 05.18.2005
• Date Posted: 05.18.2005 08:50
• Story ID: 1858
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ