Hundreds of Soldiers Honor Two of their Own

Mike Boettcher reports from Afghanistan:

2:30 am Friday morning and our ride to the Bagram passenger terminal didn’t show up. With all of our equipment it was too far to walk and there wasn’t another soul out at that ungodly hour who could give us a ride.

Then, suddenly, soldiers started appearing out of their huts. In groups of two, three and four they passed us and began lining up along the bases main thoroughfare – Disney Road. A voice suddenly boomed on the base loudspeaker and it all became clear. "All soldiers, report to Disney Road for a 03:30 fallen comrade ceremony."

The entire base complied. Hundreds of soldiers lined the road in full uniform. We didn’t hear one complaint. It was clear that they were there, not because they were ordered, but because they wanted to be present.

Suddenly, two open-back Humvee trucks approached and the soldiers snapped to attention and saluted. Six soldiers, three along each side rail, sat stiff backed in the rear of the first truck. Between them, a metal coffin draped with an American flag. A second truck passed. It, too, carried a fallen American soldier and an honor guard. There was only silence.

The scene took my breath away. During the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the casualties became impersonal numbers in a growing toll. But in front of me passed the bodies of two soldiers who died for their country. There was nothing impersonal about it. Somewhere, a family back home was grieving. They probably will never know the respect accorded their fallen son, daughter, husband or wife, but I am telling you now, they were honored and remembered by their fellow soldiers on a cold Friday morning at 03:30 am.

If only all Americans could have seen what Carlos and I saw.