|
CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait (March 4, 2008) - Many think supporting the
Global War on Terrorism is a busy business, and it is. There is a
constant flow of troops, equipment and information that needs to
travel throughout theater. Boring is a word that many would never
think about using to describe their job, but for two individuals a
boring day is a good day.
Marine Master Sgt. James Fogg and Navy Chaplain Lt. Dean
Vanbrunt are a unique duo who have a one of its kind job - they are
the Patient Administration Tracking Team. They are responsible for
rendering two honor ceremonies - one when a fallen warrior is taken
off the plane in Kuwait and one when they are placed back in the
plane in preparation for their journey home - for anyone who has
paid the ultimate sacrifice in the U.S. Central Command Area of
Operation. It is a job that requires 24/7 support.
"Here's my work schedule," said Fogg, PATT staff noncommissioned
officer-in-charge, as he lifted his cell phone. "Sometimes we have
a lot of notice a fallen warrior is arriving, sometimes it is short
notice."
It was a job that neither the master sergeant nor the chaplain
knew much about but both feel privileged to be a part of honoring
those who have passed away.
It is a simple but honorable ceremony. Every available
servicemember from each branch of service and even U.S. civilian
employees who work at Kuwait City International Airport, wait in a
formation by the plane to pay their respect. Some days the
formation is a few as five, other days there are as many as 20 men
and women who find the time to pay their respects.
"We wouldn't be able to do our job without the help of the other
services," Vanbrunt, PATT officer-in-charge, said. "All services
are usually represented during these ceremonies."
Work goes on as usual on the flight line; cargo is being placed
on planes, planes are taking off and landing. No one in the
formation seems to pay attention to what is going on around them.
They all wait for their cue.
Above the roar of the planes engines Fogg's voice can be heard,
"Present, arms." Slowly, each person in the formation takes four
seconds to raise their hand to their brow or cover their heart.
They stand perfectly still as six warriors lift the flag-covered
casket from the cargo hold of the plane and place it carefully in a
vehicle which will take it to the mortuary. "Order, arms," Fogg's
voice is heard again. The formation slowly takes four seconds to
lower their arms. They repeat this honor for every fallen warrior
who is taken off the plane.
Once the caskets are taken to the mortuary, Vanbrunt says a
prayer over each of the fallen.
When the warriors are ready to travel to Dover Air Base, Del. -
their final stop before they complete their journey home - a more
in depth ceremony is conducted. The formation renders honors
outside of the plane. They then move inside of the cargo hold where
the caskets are securely fastened.
Vanbrunt makes an opening statement then reads a scripture. He
then says the Lords Prayer and the Prayer of Commendation. Fogg's
voice is heard again, "Present, arms." The formation again slowly
renders their four-second salute, they hold it for 10 seconds, then
Fogg says, "Order, arms," and they all slowly end their final
good-bye to the warrior they never had a chance to meet.
"I think the Families will feel good knowing their loved one is
honored at every stop along their journey home," Fogg said.
This job has been present since the start of the war in 2003,
Fogg said, although many people do not know it exists.
Vanbrunt volunteered to fill the position to help deal with his
issues about death, as he put it; he needed to "face his demons."
He said this experience has been a healthy one and it has helped
him get over his fear of death.
Unlike Vanbrunt, Fogg, a Reservist who is a New York Police
Department police officer when not on active duty, said he comes
from a job where he sees death all the time. Although he is use to
the sight of death, the East Meadow, N.Y., native explained that
doing this job gives him a different perspective on death.
The first warrior he honored when he started this job October
2007 was a fallen Marine. Fogg is used to seeing victims of crimes
on a daily basis but he said it hit home to see one of his own who
made the ultimate sacrifice.
No matter how hard it is to honor a fallen warrior, "someone's
got to do it," he continued, "and I am glad the Marine Corps is
doing it."
The duo also tracks every Marine and Navy patient who is sick or
injured who are in Kuwait or have been sent to Germany for
additional treatment. They attempt to make weekly visits to the
troops who are in hospitals in Kuwait, bringing with them goodies
sent from organizations throughout the United States.
There are military jobs here in Kuwait which support the Global
War on Terrorism and might not have boring or slow days but to
Vanbrunt, Fogg or any of the other servicemembers who work in
conjunction with the PATT, a boring day is a good day.
|
