Memorial Day Reflection Published May 26, 2009 By Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Carl Yost 315th Airlift Wing CHARLESTON AFB, S.C. -- I was on duty in the emergency room at the Joint Forces Hospital in Afghanistan when a Marine Captain was brought in, the victim of an IED blast. A fellow Marine Captain had escorted the medivac. Together we whispered prayers to the critically injured Marine while his life slipped away. After a few moments of silence the escort looked at me and said "He took my place." I inquired what he meant and he informed me that he was to have been on patrol that morning but his friend and fellow Captain stepped up and took his place. As we journey towards another Memorial Day observance let us take a few moments of silence and remember those who have gone before us and 'took our place' so we can live. As a recent Air Expeditionary Force Wing Chaplain, I had the sacred honor of being a member of numerous ramp ceremonies. These ceremonies honor fallen service members where the whole airfield community lines the streets as the caisson of the fellow American KIAs are brought to the plane to be carried home. I will always remember standing shoulder to shoulder with fellow service members in the midnight air, morning sunlight or afternoon heat offering salutes, prayers and words of scripture as the bagpipes played 'Amazing Grace.' "No one has greater love than to lay down their life for another." May we honor and remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, those of past and present generations who took our place in giving their lives so we can live free and secure in these United States of America.