COB Speicher remembers fallen law enforcement officers

Photo By 1st Sgt. Jessica Barnett | Spc. Tania Rivera, administrative personnel for Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 317th Military Police Battalion, 49th Military Police Brigade, out of Tampa, Fla., lights Pfc. Ty E. Whitacre's candle, a gunner with the 512th MP Company, 92nd MP Bn., stationed at Forward Operating Base Warrior, Iraq. A candlelight vigil was held in the North Morale, Welfare and Recreations parking lot during the Law Enforcement Memorial Candlelight Vigil ceremony at Contingency Operating Base Speicher, Iraq, May 10.  

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, IRAQ

05.10.2010

Story by Spc. Jessica Barnett 

135th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, Iraq - The 317th Military Police Battalion held a Law Enforcement Memorial Candlelight Vigil at the North Morale, Welfare and Recreation center on Contingency Operating Base Speicher, Iraq, May 10.

The memorial was held to honor law enforcement officers who lost their lives in the line of duty while supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom within United States Division- North, from 2003 to 2010.

The commemoration included all military branches and civilian law enforcement officers. The stage was set with a fallen Soldier display for each branch, along with their unit's guidons. Pictures of the fallen law enforcement officers were displayed for all to see.

Carrying on the time-honored tradition of honoring fallen police officers, retired U.S. Marshal, James Roberts, spoke about the importance of military police serving in Iraq.

"With our departure, we leave a nation that is implementing a democratic constitution much like ours. Our presence has made a difference," said Mr. Roberts. "The names of the 69 law enforcement officers who died for the cause of freedom will always be associated with the freeing of the oppressed people of this nation."

As per tradition for military memorial ceremonies, a final roll call was given for the fallen law enforcement officers.

A representative from each branch called out the 38 Army, eight Air Force, eight Navy, five Marine, and 10 civilian names of the fallen officers. As the names were called, a distant voice from the audience echoed back, "absent," in a
stark-quiet room.

"It is important for them to be remembered. They served for our country and they died protecting us. They didn't have to do what they did, but they did," said Spc. Kristina P. Woods, a paralegal specialist for the 317th MP Bn., 49th Military Police Brigade.

At the completion of the roll call, two Soldiers from the 545th Military Police Company, stationed at Forward Operating Base Warhorse, presented a wreath in honor of the fallen.

The 545th MP Company, Ft. Richardson, Ala., sustained the most recent loss in the USD-N area: three military police Soldiers were killed while on a convoy to Bayji, Iraq, Sept. 8, 2009.

The ceremony concluded with a candlelight vigil. As the glow of the candles lit the somber faces of service members and civilians, the fallen police officers were honored with a three-round volley, followed by the playing of "Taps."

"This is a time of nation-wide remembrance of those law enforcement personnel who have lost their lives in the line of duty," said Mr. Roberts. "For us it is a time for reflection and re-commitment to our military and civilian values as service members and peacekeepers …. We are here to remind ourselves why we carry out our duties as guardians for the security of our citizens, our communities, and our country."

• Date Taken: 05.10.2010
• Date Posted: 05.11.2010 09:15
• Story ID: 49475
• Location: CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, IQ