What It's All About

Since many of you may wonder exactly what a Dignified Transfer is, I sought out an example that exists on YouTube. There are several other presentations there, but I selected this one to illustrate what it is that happens at one of these ceremonies. This video was more than likely taken by Department of Defense media and placed on a DVD for the family to have as a keepsake. Families are asked if they would like to have media present at Dignified Transfer and if they choose to have media present, then a DVD is produced for them.
This Dignified Transfer, in particular, occured about a month prior to my arrival. It is a perfect illustration of what takes place.

Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head

Well it has been raining like Niagara Falls today here in Delaware. Good thing I was issued new raingear and had the opportunity to waterproof my boots and hat! I think we received a little over 2 inches of rain between this morning and late in the day. I am scheduled to do a Dignified Transfer tomorrow at 4:00AM, and it is forecast to rain yet again. So, I'll be standing on the flightline, at attention, and holding an umbrella over the family members to keep them as dry as possible, while they witness the transfer of their son.
On Sunday night, I was called in at 10:00pm to pick up an escort that flew in with a fallen warrier. He was accompanying his friend home from Afghanistan after they had only been there for about a week. This soldier was not long in the service to begin with, but he was no doubt seasoned by combat and prior deployments. After I met him on the aircraft, I led him to a waiting vehicle and then I drove him to the Center for the Families of the Fallen. He quickly brushed his teeth while we were driving and rinsed using the open window for a sink. I guess its just what you do when there aren't any other options. He reminded me alot of myself back in my Army days. I dropped him off to meet with the family. He was very shaken and uprepared to meet them and speak to them about their son, his friend.
I did not have to go back out on the flightline, as we had plenty of representatives in the center, but I somehow wish I could have, only to be a part of the process of welcoming his friend home. I think it would have brought some closure to the scene for me.

Dignified Transfers Witnessed (13)

Challenges

Since my last post I made several strides to adapt and overcome the challenges here. I managed to fit in 4 physical training sessions along with my daily / weekly routine. This is mandatory and part of our resiliency regimen each week. One of the sessions was a physical training (PT) assessment. I did well, although, I want to improve my scores. The weather was extremely humid, so I think that affected my run time. Some new sneakers and ongoing training can only help!
I had an aversion / fear of what I would witness in the autopsy center at the mortuary. I was working the processing line this week and knew this was an area I had to face and gain comfort with. So, I stayed through a few autopsies and although the scene is gruesome and disturbing, I found that the technicians doing this work are really scientists. Their work is truly fascinating, overall, and by focusing on the purpose behind what they do, I found a level of comfort and interest. Getting beyond my aversion was a true victory for me and I can only thank God for guiding my perspectives and keeping my soul at peace with everything going on around me.
I am not a powerpoint guru. In fact, I'm as amateur as they come. You see, as part of the chaplain team, I'm also a member of the resiliency team. We have a "resiliency message board" that has to be updated daily. Lucky me... I was given this responsibility, which forced me to up my game a little. So, I began playing around with buttons, testing ideas, and previewing lots of sample slides to figure things out. I'm learning "slowly", but thank God I have a hip pocket teacher!! Tracy, my girlfriend, is a powerpoint specialist!! She has tons of experience, so I have been picking her brain on how to do some elementary functions. I need to keep the presentation board running, while at the same time, learn the basics and a few of the tricks to kick it up a notch. She is my "Powerpoint for Dummies" book and has helped me immeasurably in fixing up the presentation. She even took the slideshow and worked on it to help with overall design and formatting. I'm in a good place now and much more confident in managing this new task.
Going to see my daughter, Miranda, today and will spend some quality time with her this weekend. I'll update in a few more days! Thanks for reading!!

Dignified Transfers Witnessed (11)

Retreating Forward

After working the early morning hours of Independence Day, I was able to take a day off to recharge and retreat from the surroundings that have significantly challenged and impacted my life. Brief escapes are truly healthy and needed to keep from getting drawn into a depressed state that can be overwhelming. Constant snapshots of what is seen play out daily in my mind and in the minds of others, not to mention the assault on all the other senses. So, to cope and process effectively, we all must make sure we are taking care of ourselves and each other. My deployed family survives because we are dependent on each other for critical support and deep understanding.
I welcomed home 3 more fallen service members since my last post. I found joy in speaking to a 16yr old daughter of a fallen soldier, who loved talking about her new car. She was amazingly strong and supported both he mother and brother during the Dignified Transfer of her dad. I was saddened, however, as each comforting word that she offered to her mother was ignored or scoffed at. She gently rolled her eyes, thought deeply and tried again. When we exited the transport, I walked closely by her and told her what an amazing young lady she was and that she was quite strong considering all things. I tried to comfort her by letting her know that all people process and cope with grief differently. She just needed to be patient with her mom and brother. In time, they would find peace and begin the healing process.
A.J.came home today as well. He served proudly in the US Army. His dad, a Gulf War veteran, and family arrived and shared stories of his life. A.J. was a very bright young man. He max'd his SAT score and was eligible to attend West Point, but he turned them down to immediately serve his country in this time of war. I spent time with A.J. yesterday to honor him and ensure his processing went smoothly.
Retreating forward is simply the process of stepping back to meditate and pray for God's strength, wisdom, and the peace that only He can provide, which reaches beyond all that we understand. Without those spriritual elements and His presence in my midst, I know I could not move forward and keep pace with the tsunami of responsibilities I share.

Dignified Transfers witnessed (6)

Independence Day Homecoming

At 12:30AM EST, I will be standing at attention on the flightline next to several family members for the Dignified Transfer of their fallen heroes. There are two this morning, a son and a daughter.
I witnessed my first Dignified Transfer yesterday and I can tell you that it is the most humbling experience thus far in this life. My heart ached for the families I was there to support. I had to catch and hold one woman as her legs just could not hold her any longer. I believe she was the wife of a Marine. The chaplains and others with me swiftly provided a chair for her to sit in. After she was safely seated I returned to the position of attention and followed the order - "present arms" which is simply a military salute we render each time a fallen service member is carried from the aircraft to the waiting transport vehicle.
A mother, who I sat next to on the return trip to the Center For The Families of the Fallen, looked at me with sorrowful eyes. I reassured her that her son would be cared for with utmost dignity, honor and respect. She graciously thanked me and told me that she really appreciated my words. Today, I made sure that my words counted for something, so I took time to check on him in the mortuary and witness his processing for his final trip home. Without uttering a word, I silenty thanked him for his service and asked God to bless him and his family.
I plan to personally make this effort, for the glory of God, as often as I'm able. In the grand scheme of all that takes place here, I believe it is my calling and makes a difference in how I serve those who have given the ultimate sacrifice and their families who mourn.
The 4th of July will have a whole new meaning for me, I'm sure, after what I will witness tonight.

(3) witnessed Dignified Transfers

Official Air Force Mortuary Affairs webpage

Here is a webpage that you can view to read more about the Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations complex at Dover Air Force Base.

http://www.mortuary.af.mil/

So it begins....

Still have a bit of inprocessing to do before I'm fully operational, however, the mission must proceed. I'm still waiting for domain updates before I have my ".mil" email set up. Alot of my administrative duties rely on email & shared drive access, so I'm kinda in a holding pattern until the IT folks can get account permissions setup and profiles created.
I took an official tour of the Air Force Mortuary Affairs building yesterday. All I can say is that it is truly something that I cannot describe. What I saw and the feelings I experienced were overwhelming. I'm just speechless. As time goes by and I've processed and coped with my role here, I can put things into words that convey the impact this place has on mankind. But, for now I can only try to settle into my role here and find peace each day among the horrors.
The team here is one huge family. We all will work together and watch out for each other. We have several mandatory meetings and trainings that we are accountable for. We have to exercise 4 days a week and sign a roster to show that we attended. We must attend sleep class and also a resiliency seminar that occurs each week. Lessons and briefings are given to help with overall fitness. There are also mandatory social functions that we must attend, so that conversations and close knit relationships can be fostered and maintained for wellness sake. All must attend to keep minds fresh and fit for the duty we are responsible to perform. I ran 3 miles today with my chaplain team!! Looking forward to a very healthful lifestyle here and the chance to make many lifelong friends.
Tomorrow is our first opportunity to witness the "Dignified Transfer". I have mentally prepared myself by watching "Taking Chance" a movie produced through HBO Films in 2009. It is the story of a young Marine, killed in action, who is returning home as a fallen serviceman. The series of events that take place from arrving at Dover AFB, processing and being escorted home are true and actual. It is very well done, highly respectful and discreet. If you have any curiousity at all about what takes place with our fallen servicemembers, this is the movie to see. It can be obtained by going to Amazon.com, since it is unique to HBO documentary films. Get a box of tissues.