Southwest Asia --
Flanders poppies, also known as American Legion poppies, are long-associated
symbols of the sacrifices made in past
wars, because they grow naturally in conditions of disturbed earth.
Memorial Day, once named Decoration Day, is observed the last
Monday in May in honor of the men and women who died in the pursuit of freedom
and peace.
Staff Sgt. Devin Tiger, a 386th Expeditionary Security Forces
Squadron Military Working Dog handler, joined the Air Force in September 2008. On
his first day of technical training, Tiger’s instructor brought the young
Airmen to the halls of the Security Forces Museum at Joint Base San
Antonio-Lackland, Texas.
Tiger walked through the history of security forces, from its
inception to present day. Cases were filled with military memorabilia and
displays of newspaper headlines led him through significant historical events.
The walls were decorated with photographs of comrades who paved their way
through history.
“You see all the names of the people who died,” said Tiger.
“Everyone sees a name. His name stuck out to me because it said Technical
Sergeant Jason L. Norton from Miami, Oklahoma.”
Tiger and Norton never met, but instantly they shared a bond;
Oklahoma, their home state.
From the day Tiger saw Norton’s name in the Security Forces Museum,
Tiger began walking a similar path as Norton, paving his way from security forces
member to MWD handler.
Tech. Sgt. Jason Norton was assigned to the 3rd Security Forces
Squadron at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. On Jan. 22, 2006, Norton and a
fellow Airman, Staff Sgt. Brian McElroy, were killed in action when their
vehicle struck an improvised explosive device while conducting convoy escort
duties in Iraq.
Tiger started his career as a security forces member. After four
years he applied for the position of MWD handler.
Norton served in the Air Force for 14 years and was a K-9 handler
for seven years.
Tiger and Norton shared a second bond and the connection became
more apparent; they were both handlers and they were both trainers.
“Sergeant Norton, he was a good example to follow and any of the
K-9 handlers following his example sets the tone,” said Tech. Sgt. Shannon
Hutto, a 386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron MWD section
noncommissioned officer in charge. “It’s something to live up to.”
Norton was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple
Heart. He also had at least six other medals, including four Air Force
achievement medals.
Just as the poppy, Tiger has grown from a disturbing event in
history, Norton’s ultimate sacrifice. Norton inspired Tiger from beyond the
grave to pick up where he left off. They did not have to meet, but they share
an unbreakable Oklahoma bond.
“For Memorial Day, Sergeant Norton is the one I think about because
of our home state, Oklahoma,” said Tiger. “He exemplified the Oklahoma standard
of helping your neighbor at all costs.”
Memorial Day is more than one day to Tiger; it is every day.