Migration
451st honors fallen at Kandahar
Stars and Stripes
May 31, 2010
Members of an Air Force color guard make final adjustments just minutes before a Memorial Day ceremony begins Monday at Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan. (Drew Brown/Stars and Stripes)
Members of an Air Force color guard make final adjustments just minutes before a Memorial Day ceremony begins Monday at Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan. (Drew Brown/Stars and Stripes)
As other troops salute in the background, an airman holds a wreath to be laid Monday during a Memorial Day ceremony at Kandahar Airfield. The small ceremony, honoring fallen troops during the nation's wars, was attended by about 100 people at Camp Samek, heaquarters of the 451st Expeditionary Air Wing. (Drew Brown/Stars and Stripes)
The American flag flies at half-staff while airmen salute during the singing of the national anthem during a Memorial Day ceremony Monday at Kandahar Airfield. The small event took place just a few hours after the body of a Marine killed in combat Sunday was flown home, said Chief Master Sgt. Steve McDonald, of the 451st Air Expeditionary Wing. The number of U.S. servicemembers killed in Afghanistan reached 1,000, The Associated Press reported last week. (Drew Brown/Stars and Stripes)
Brig. Gen. Guy Walsh, commander of the 451st Air Expeditionary Wing, and other U.S. and Afghan officers salute after a wreath is laid in honor of the nation's fallen during a Memorial Day ceremony Monday at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. (Drew Brown/Stars and Stripes)
The 451st Air Expeditionary Wing held a small Memorial Day ceremony Monday at Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan.
The event drew about 100 people including two generals from the Afghan air force. It took place just hours after the body of a Marine killed in combat Sunday was flown home, according to Chief Master Sgt. Steve McDonald.
“Today, we once again celebrate those who served their country with pride and are no longer here with us today,” said Brig. Gen. Guy Walsh, wing commander, who laid a wreath at Camp Samek, headquarters of the wing.
Chaplain (Maj.) Shon Neyland said, “Even as we continue with two wars, their sacrifices will not be forgotten.”
The death toll of U.S. servicemembers in Afghanistan reached 1,000 as of last week, according to The Associated Press.
— Drew Brown