An MQ-9 Reaper sits on the flight line at Hurlburt Field, Fla., May 3, 2014.The MQ-9 Reaper is an armed, multi-mission, medium-altitude, long-endurance remotely piloted aircraft that is employed primarily as an intelligence-collection asset and secondarily against dynamic execution targets. (U.S. Air Force photo illustration/Staff Sgt. John Bainter)

Commentaries

Fallen warrior's sacrifice hits home

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Ray Porrata
  • Combined Air Operations Center
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  I just got back from a Fallen Warrior ceremony out on the flightline where a Charleston Air Force Base (S.C.) C-17 was taking a hero back home to his love ones. It's hard to describe the feelings that go through you as the flag draped coffin is carried to the plane from the truck.

The wing commander gave the order to present arms and all of us, in unison, saluted slowly our fallen hero as he was taken into the plane and his coffin secured to the floor. As an airman I totally understand the cost of freedom and the sacrifices all of us make for our nation, but nothing can prepare you for this ultimate sacrifice.

I'm not ashamed to admit that I cried, because the war hit home for me today as we prayed around our fallen warrior's coffin inside the plane. At the end of the ceremony I placed my hand on his draped coffin, as many others did, and I prayed for him and his family back home.

I never knew this brave American, I don't even know his or her name, but this warrior has had an enormous impact on my life today. 

(Colonel Porrata, is a deployed Air Force Reserve officer from the 919th Special Operations Wing.)