Ramp Ceremonies

When a service member from KAF dies, the military conducts a “Ramp Ceremony” to repatriate the body. In the first 72 hours I was here I attended two Ramp Ceremonies. Although it’s not necessary for all of us to be present every time, we do want someone from the USO to show our support at every Ramp Ceremony.

The observance takes place as soon as a flight is available. Since the goal is to have the service member’s remains heading home within 24 hours, the Ceremony can occur any time of the day or night. When the service member dies, the flags are lowered to half-staff; they stay that way until the plane leaves with the remains.

The Ceremony, which takes 15-20 minutes, begins as the C-17 arrives. Immediately the engines stop, cargo from the plane is emptied and the interior swept out. At the Ceremonies I attended the remains arrived on MRAPs (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected [armored] vehicles) and were escorted to the back of a C-17 through a corridor of troops, with a color guard, pallbearers and an honor guard. The chaplain says a few words and a prayer, bagpipes play Amazing Grace, the Marine Hymn (or something similar) and a bugle honors with Taps.

Although the first two Ceremonies I attended were for Americans, there were several hundred ISAF troops attending in formation. The USO representatives stand at the back of the officers and VIPs.

Of course I cried during this somber and moving Ceremony. Although my wish is that there would never be another, I’m sure we’ll have many more Ramp Ceremonies to attend. I always will weep.

29 April, 0230: Thomas E. Rivers, Jr., US Marine, age 22
30 April, 1030: Salvadore S. Corma; US Army, age 24
3 May, early PM: Mark W. Coleman, US Army, age
5 May, early AM: Douglas Craig Blake, Canadian Navy, age 37
5 May, 1730: Brandon A. Barrett, US Marine, age 27
6 May, 1750: Wade A. Slack, US Army, age 21,
7 May, 0400: Richard R. Penny, US Marine, age 21
7 May, 1230: Christopher Rangel, US Marine, age 22
8 May, 2020: Joshua Davis, US Marine, age 19
11 May, 0000: Kurt S. Shea, US Marine, age 21
12 May, 1520: Jeffrey W. Johnson, US Marine, age 21
12 May, 1520: Kenneth B. May, Jr., US Marine, age 26
13 May, 0415: Joshua D. Desforges, US Marine, age 23
13 May, 0415: Donald J. Lamar II, US Marine, age 23
14 May, 0700: Valerica Sandu Leu, Romanian Army, age 31
14 May, 1035: Kevin McKay, Canadian Army, age 24
16 May, 2315: Nicholas D. Paradarodriguez, US Marine, age 29
17 May, 2320: Zarian Wood, US Marine, age 29
18 May, 1715: Adam Perkins, US Marine, age 27
18 May, 1715: Billy G. Anderson, US Army, age 20
19 May, 0745: Patrick Xavier, Jr., US Marine, age 24
19 May, 1445: Philip P. Clark, US Marine, age 19
19 May, 1445: Shane S. Barnard, US Army, age 38
20 May, 0930: Geoff Parker, Canadian Army, age 42
23 May: None: Jason Fingar, US Army, age 24 (no RC by order of FP)
26 May: 0700: Larry John Zuidema Rudd, Canadian Army, age 26
28 May: 1100: Jacob C. Leight, US Marine, age 24
30 May: ????: Jake W. Suter, US Marine, age 18
31 May: 0410: Anthony A. Dilisio, US Marine, age 20
2 June: 0525: Jonathan K. Peney, US Army Ranger, age 22
5 June: 0005: Joseph J. Thienert, US Army, age 24
7 June: 1320: Brandon C. Bury, US Marine (NH), age 26
7 June: 1320: Derek Hernandez, US Marine (NH), age 20
7 June: 1320: Donald M. Marler, US Marine (NH), age 22
7 June: 1320: Michael E. McGahan, US Army, age 23
8 June: 0215: Martin Goudreault, Canadian Army, age 35
8 June: 0800: Brendan P. Neenan, US Army, age 21
8 June: 0800: John K. Rankel, US Marine, age 23
9 June: 1630: Zachary J. Walters, US Marine, age 24
9 June: 1630: Derek L. Shanfield, US Marine, age 22
10 June: 2015: Michael P. Flores, US Air Force, age 31(closed)
10 June: 2015: Joel C. Gentz, US Air Force, age 25(closed)
10 June: 2015: David C. Smith, US Air Force, age 26(closed)
10 June: 2015: Benjamin D. White, US Air Force, age 24(closed)
10 June: 2015: Michael G. Plank, US Marine, age 25
11 June: 1435: Gavin R. Brummund, US Marine, age 22
12 June: 2030: Robert Fike, US Army National Guard, age 38
12 June: 2030: Bryan Hoover, US Army National Guard, age 29
12 June: 2030: Christian M. Adams, US Army, (NH/S) age 26
17 June: 0035: Jeffrey R. Standfest, US Marine, age 23
17 June: 0940: Michael C. Bailey, US Marine, age 29
FLAGS WERE DOWN WHEN I LEFT KAF AT 1700 ON 18 JUNE.

BACK ON 16 JULY 2010. MISSED RAMP CEREMONIES FOR 26 US SERVICE PEOPLE WHILE AWAY.

4 August 2010. I haven't listed Ramp Ceremonies since I've been back from PTO. Deaths of American and NATO troops in Afghanistan have risen dramatically and there is at least one RC every day. Sometimes we show up for the RC but are not able to attend because Force Protection does not want too many people on the tarmac. For the horrific list of updated casualties check out http://www.icasualties.org/OEF/Fatalities.aspx.