By Staff Sgt. Benjamin Gonsier, 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs / Published May 31, 2017
Dog tags, displaying the names of Airmen killed in action, hang off of a rifle during a Memorial Day ceremony at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, May 29, 2017. The boots, rifle and helmet make what is called the Battlefield Cross, which is a symbolic replacement of a cross and is used to honor and show respect to deceased service members. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Gonsier)
Airmen salute during the singing of the National Anthem at Bargram Airfield, Afghanistan, May 29, 2017. Bagram Airmen gathered to pay respect to fallen comrades during a Memorial Day ceremony. Memorial Day, observed on the last Monday of May, serves as a day for remembering service members who have died while serving. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Gonsier)
Staff Sgt. Sarah Flynn, 455th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, portrays Airman 1st Class Kcey Ruiz during a Memorial Day ceremony at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, May 29, 2017. Ruiz, who was also a member of the 455th ESFS, lost her life on Oct. 2, 2015, after a C-130J Super Hercules impacted the ground, killing everyone aboard. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Gonsier)
Staff Sgt. Ryan Reyes, 455th Expeditionary Medical Operations Squadron, portrays Tech. Sgt. John Chapman during a Memorial Day ceremony at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, May 29, 2017. Chapman was a combat controller who, on March 4, 2002, lost his life while suppressing enemy fire during a reconnaissance mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Gonsier)
Senior Airman Jessica Hubbard, 455th Expeditionary Medical Group, portrays Senior Airman Jason Cunningham during a Memorial Day ceremony at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, May 29, 2017. Cunningham was a pararescueman who, on March 4, 2002, lost his life while saving the lives of ten service members under heavy enemy fire. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Gonsier)
Chaplain (Capt.) Joshua Flynn listens during a portrayal of a fallen Airman during a Memorial Day ceremony at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, May 29, 2017. During the ceremony, Bagram Airmen portrayed three fallen comrades, telling the story of how they made the ultimate sacrifice. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Gonsier)
Airmen attend a Memorial Day ceremony at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, May 29, 2017. During the ceremony, Bagram Airmen portrayed three fallen comrades, telling the story of how they made the ultimate sacrifice. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Gonsier)
Bagram Honor Guard members unravel the American flag during a Memorial Day ceremony at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, May 29, 2017. Memorial Day, observed on the last Monday of May, serves as a day for remembering service members who have died while serving. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Gonsier)
Bagram Honor Guard members unfold the American flag during a Memorial Day ceremony at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, May 29, 2017. During the ceremony, Bagram Airmen portrayed three fallen comrades, telling the story of how they made the ultimate sacrifice. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Gonsier)
Tech. Sgt. Bajame Kirby, 455th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron, folds the American flag during a Memorial Day ceremony at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, May 29, 2017. Memorial Day, observed on the last Monday of May, serves as a day for remembering service members who have died while serving. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Gonsier)
Bagram Honor Guard members fold the American flag during a Memorial Day ceremony at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, May 29, 2017. During the ceremony, Bagram Airmen portrayed three fallen comrades, telling the story of how they made the ultimate sacrifice. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Gonsier)
Staff Sgt. Aaron Anthony, 455th Expeditionary Communications Squadron, watches as he folds the American flag during a Memorial Day ceremony at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, May 29, 2017. Memorial Day, observed on the last Monday of May, serves as a day for remembering service members who have died while serving. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Gonsier)
Senior Master Sgt. Michael Miller, 455th Expeditionary Communications Squadron, secures the American flag during a Memorial Day ceremony at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, May 29, 2017. During the ceremony, Bagram Airmen portrayed three fallen comrades, telling the story of how they made the ultimate sacrifice. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Gonsier)
Senior Master Sgt. Michael Miller, 455th Expeditionary Communications Squadron, holds the American flag up to his face during a Memorial Day ceremony at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, May 29, 2017. Memorial Day, observed on the last Monday of May, serves as a day for remembering service members who have died while serving. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Gonsier)
A Battlefield Cross is displayed during a Memorial Day ceremony at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, May 29, 2017. The boots, rifle and helmet make what is called the Battlefield Cross, which is a symbolic replacement of a cross and is used to honor and show respect to deceased service members. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Gonsier)