Task Force Yankee honors Fallen Comrades

Courtesy Photo | An estimated 2,000 people attend the Task Force Yankee Memorial Ceremony.  

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AFGHANISTAN

11.10.2011

Courtesy Story

Defense Contract Management Agency

By Lindy Bayer
DCMA Afghanistan

BAGRAM, Afghanistan -- Five vehicles drove slowly across the tarmac carrying the flag-draped coffins to an area near the C-17aircraft. The Bagram Army band played as the vehicles drove past. There were no speeches. It was a dignified and solemn ceremony. About 2,000 people stood in formation along the flight line in honor as the caskets were driven to the plane.

The pall-bearers marched to the end of each truck and stood there awaiting their instructions. Everyone was called to attention and the order of “Pull" was issued. The first two soldiers by each casket reached into the truck and pulled the casket out a short distance.

After a pause, another order of “Pull” was issued. The first four soldiers held the casket and pulled it out of the truck a little further. Then the next two until finally all eight soldiers at each station pulled the caskets out of the vehicles.

They were instructed to turn and then to march. As the caskets were moved to the ramp of the aircraft, the honor guard followed. Each casket was carried onto the C-17. At this point, we were all too far away to hear what occurred but I was directly across the tarmac from the C-17 ramp. I could see the chaplains leading a prayer. Then Army Gen. John Allen spoke for a very short time. The honor guard moved forward. Each row of the honor guard knelt at each casket to pause a moment or say a prayer.

After the final row of the honor guard left the aircraft, the five vehicles drove away. The simple ceremony, which was about 30 minutes, was over.

I could not help but think of my arrival in Afghanistan on July 4. Tony and I were the only DCMA people on the plane with tons of soldiers and a few other civilians. When the C-17 landed, we all lined up to depart the plane. Everyone exited down the ramp. July 4 was a Monday. It was about 2 a.m. and the temperature was around 95 degrees. We had left sometime late the Friday before. With time zone changes, being on the go for a couple of days, wearing body armor and helmet, all of us were wondering what we were doing.

We started this march across the runway to the terminal. I could not keep up. There seemed to be no air. The higher elevation was really affecting me. I was trying to stay up with the crowd but was falling farther back. One soldier and Tony dropped back to walk with me. Once I slowed down my pace, I was OK and could catch my breath. It made a difference to have Tony and the soldier stay with me. I will always remember this kindness of Tony's.

Tony is the first DCMA civilian killed in action in Afghanistan. The bottom line is we have a job to do and sometimes things happen. Even though I only spent a week in training with Tony and did not know him well, he represents all the DCMA folks who have volunteered to travel into war zones to support the soldiers.

Services

The funeral for Anthony A. “Tony” Acerra was held Nov. 8 at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church in Woodside, N.Y. In the near future, DCMA Syracuse, will hold a remembrance ceremony to honor Acerra in Syracuse, N.Y., where many of those who worked with him are located. The date will be coordinated with the Acerra family. For those who want to submit their thoughts or leave a message for his family, there is a link to an online remembrance page for Acerra on the DCMA homepage, (https://home.dcma.mil/express/headlines/2011/110111a.cfm). The postings will be published in a remembrance book which will be presented to the Acerra family.

Editor’s note: This first-hand in-theater account of last week’s Task Force Yankee Memorial Ceremony honored the four U.S. soldiers and Defense Contract Management Agency employee Anthony A. “Tony” Acerra who died Oct. 29 when enemy forces attacked their vehicle with a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device. Army Sgt. Carlo F. Eugenio, one of the four soldiers, was the cousin of Sandi Bennett, DCMA Combat Support Center administration team leader and supervisor.

• Date Taken: 11.10.2011
• Date Posted: 11.10.2011 10:45
• Story ID: 79846
• Location: BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AF