Photo By Capt. Maren Scheie | The team from the 215th Engineer Company from Puerto Rico pose by the memorial they...... read more read more
Baghram Air Field, Afghanistan – One year ago, in November of 2016, three Soldiers from the 1st Cavalry Division, along with two civilian contractors, were killed from a suicide bomb attack at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. In memorial of this tragic incident, the 215th Engineer Company graciously took on the task to create a memorial commemorating the fallen.
The 215th En. Co. was given the task after several meetings with 1st Cav. Designs were created and supplies ordered to construct the memorial.
“1st Cav. made an initial approach to 1st Lt. Armando Cruz, a 215th construction team leader, to see if we could construct a memorial for their fallen soldiers,” said Staff Sgt. Jesus Diaz, construction team non-commissioned officer in charge.
Although much of the 215th’s time was consumed by securing and closing the airfield’s east perimeter, the company felt that is was worth making time for this special project.
“We could not refuse the opportunity to celebrate and remember the lives of these heroes,” said Diaz. ”Since our first meeting, I saw how much this project meant to 1st Cav. The memorial and unveiling ceremony was an honoring experience."
The project work included the ground preparation, molding a side walk and a concrete slab, constructing a wood shade, pouring gravel on the site and decorating with a brick layout.
“Being able to do a job that immortalizes the memory of the Nov. 12 fallen Soldiers was a gratifying experience,” said Sgt. Noel Torres, construction team member, 215th En. Co. “During the construction of the memorial, many of the Soldiers’ battle buddies came to see how it was developing. Seeing how thankful they were is something I will never forget. We gave our best effort to honor those who deserve honor. My God bless them and their families."
The memorial was completed May 1, 2017 and the unveiling ceremony was held May 7, 2017.
"It was a privilege for me to work in a very important project like this.” said Spc. Jennifer Lugo, 215th En. Co. construction team member. “The fallen soldiers will be remembered forever with this memorial. God bless them all."
The 215th served under the 420th Theater Engineer Brigade, headquartered out of Camp Buehring, Kuwait. The brigade has oversight of multiple projects spanning seven countries. Companies are assigned multiple projects and have teams assigned to various locations in the 420th’s area of responsibility.
| Date Taken: | 11.01.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 11.14.2017 01:51 |
| Story ID: | 255035 |
| Location: | AF |
| Web Views: | 367 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Engineers construct memorial to fallen 1st Cav. Soldiers, by CPT Maren Scheie, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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