An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Patriot ceremony honors loved and lost

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Brian Davidson
  • 447th Air Expeditionary Group
SATHER AIR BASE, Iraq --  On the aircraft parking ramp of the 447th Air Expeditionary Group at Sather Air Base, just west of Baghdad International Airport, Soldiers and Airmen quietly gather in the heat of the mid-day sun, and in a very short time their ranks swell to more than 100. 

The call to "fall in" comes from the first sergeant, and the men and women instinctively form six perfect rows. 

In front of the formation is a C-130 Hercules transport aircraft with its large loading ramp open. In the distance, two helicopter crews preparing for a mission notice the activity, and instinctively know what's happening. They stop their activities and line up in front of the helicopters. 

Everyone remains perfectly still under the merciless sun until the command of "forward-march" comes from the first sergeant. The Soldiers and Airmen march towards the waiting C-130 in perfect step, heads up, eyes forward. 

The formation divides as it approaches the rear of the aircraft and comes to a halt under its towering tail with three ranks to starboard and three ranks to port. With a softly-spoken command from the first sergeant, the Soldiers and Airmen turn in unison and face inward, leaving a passageway between them leading to the aircraft loading ramp. They remain at attention as a single Humvee draws near. 

A detail of Soldiers forms at the back of the vehicle and carefully removes a silver metal box. It's draped with an American Flag whose bright colors are a stark contrast to the brown and tan Iraqi environment. The case bears the body of a friend and comrade-in-arms -- an American son who has given his life in the name of freedom. 

The scene is most often called a patriot ceremony, patriot detail or ramp ceremony. It's a very familiar scene for most of today's service members who have served in a war zone, but it's rarely seen by anyone who does not wear a military uniform; not the families of the lost, not senior government officials, not even the President. 

While the patriot ceremony isn't a formal part of military customs and courtesies, it is one of the most emotional formations those serving in the profession of arms will ever experience. 

The ceremony's primary purpose is to allow military members to show their respect to the fallen, and because they must remain behind to continue their mission, it also serves as a memorial service for some, allowing them the chance to show their respect. 

On this day, the Soldiers were from the 978th Military Police Company, and the Patriot Ceremony was for Cpl. James Hale, who died Aug. 13 when his vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive device during a patrol in Baghdad. 

According to Pentagon figures, more than 4,100 American service members have died in the war to bring freedom and independence to Iraq, and more than 3,360 died as a direct result of hostile action. Of those dead, most were brought to the 447th AEG at Sather Air Base to begin their journey home to grieving families; a process formally known as repatriation. 

While the origin of the patriot ceremony is not clear; its purpose is. 

When an American military member dies in the war zone, word goes out to let people know when the body will be brought to the airfield for repatriation -- and whether it's in the heat of day or the middle of the night, military members come to pay their respects. 

Strict rules prohibit media coverage of, and ceremonies at, interim stops during the journey home for those who have died supporting military operations, but for military members who are deployed forward, the start of that journey is very significant. 

"We're family. It's about love, and respect and trying to understand and deal with the loss," said Army Sgt. 1st Class David Davison. "It's not something you can find anywhere in regulations or ceremonial policies -- it's something you find in your heart." 

For Sergeant Davison, like many others, it's the final chance to say "goodbye." 

"It's good for the unit and good for individual Soldiers," he said. "Hopefully, it will help the families at home to know that they are in our thoughts and prayers, and that we share in their grief." 

The patriot ceremony also helps the Soldiers turn their focus back to the job at hand. 

"Soldiers believe in our mission enough to give their lives, and we owe it to them to succeed," he said. 

The mission of the 978th MP Company is to assist Iraqi police with maintaining security in Baghdad. Officially called Police Transition Teams, the Soldiers serve in the city every day with the sole purpose of helping their Iraqi counterparts make the streets safer for innocent civilians. It's a job that is both critical to rebuilding Iraq, and dangerous. 

Sergeant Davison and his fellow Soldiers have learned this lesson all too well. 

"What we do now will make it possible for Iraqi citizens to leave their homes without fear in the future," he explained. "But there are still people out there now with evil intensions." 

The Pentagon reports that in July, the death toll of U.S. Soldiers killed in Iraq reached the lowest monthly record of 13 since the war began in 2003. November of 2004 was the deadliest month for U.S. troops, with 137 killed in action. 

Even with the record monthly low in deaths, every single one is significant. As those who have died are brought to the 447th AEG to begin the journey home, American men and women who wear the nation's military uniform gather for the solemn honor of the patriot ceremony. 

"Participating in the ceremony is a way for us to answer the call that comes from within to do something tangible," said Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Mark Campbell, 447th AEG command chaplain. "It's a way to recognize and honor the fallen, but more importantly, it's a way to honor their life." 

The command of "present arms" is given and the Soldiers and Airmen slowly raise their arms in a salute as they stand at attention. In the distance, the helicopter crews also salute as the flag-draped transfer case is brought to the waiting aircraft. 

Once the transfer case is loaded, the command for "order arms" is given and the Chaplain offers up a prayer, and the faces of many Soldiers from the 978th MP Company stream with tears. Some Soldiers reach out to help others stand as grief makes their knees buckle. 

Those who have gathered for the patriot ceremony each walk past the transfer case, some pause to pray, some sob inconsolably and some gently touch the American flag and whisper their "goodbye." As they exit the aircraft, small groups form and friends hold on to each other as more tears fall. 

The scene of the patriot ceremony changes very little as it unfolds wherever American service members die in today's wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Some days come and go at Sather AB without the call for patriot honors, some days the call comes, and some days it comes two, three and more times. When it does, America's best and bravest men and women, serving in harm's way in the name of freedom, will continue to come together to say "goodbye" to their loved and lost.