Final honors -- helping those who gave the ultimate sacrifice

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Mary Hinson
  • 315th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Try as they might, there is no way to describe the feeling of dealing with the remains of fallen servicemembers. There is no doubt working port mortuary is not easy.

"It's hard to explain. You can't understand unless you are there," said Master Sgt. Roberta Kithcart, 315th Services Flight.

"It's an emotionally challenging job," added Maj. Connie Alge, 315th SVF commander. "It's both a terrible job and a wonderful job. Not everyone would want to do this."

Despite the difficulty, members of the 315th SVF have been volunteering to go to Dover Air Force Base, Del., to help process and identify the remains of fallen military members.
The Port Mortuary facility at Dover is the only facility of its kind in the United States and is 75 percent manned with members of the Air Force Reserve. According to Major Alge, it receives deceased members of all branches of the military from overseas, as well as the deceased from mass military casualties, five or more individuals, in the United States.

To prepare themselves for this job, members of port mortuary go to an initial three-day training course and must do refresher training every 30 months, unless they are involved in a real-world experience within that time.

There are numerous jobs within the port mortuary field - everything from administration work to uniform preparations to autopsy, and the members of the 315th have experienced them all.

While some jobs are more difficult than others, every section brings its own set of challenges. "When I see death certificates of people my age, it really hits home," said Airman 1st Class Crystal Jones, who worked in the admin section.

Although the port mortuary has chaplains and Crisis Incident Stress Management teams to help the workers deal with situations, most individuals find their own way of coping.

"I try not to get emotionally attached. Whatever happens here stays here," said Staff Sgt. Justin Mayshack, 315th SVF. "I think of it as my duty. I feel pretty proud doing it because these guys were overseas fighting for our freedom."

This sense of pride is echoed in every member from the Airmen to the officers.

"That's a great feeling…Even though we're not in the midst of things, it gives me pride to do something for these troops," said Sergeant Kithcart. "It gives me peace of mind."
"We do it so families don't have to worry because they have enough to think about," added Airman Jones.

Major Alge said she wishes, "what we did there would hopefully help comfort the next of kin and friends."

For those who work at port mortuary, it's a hard job, a trying job, a rewarding job. For the families it's a final farewell. For everyone, it is a chance to give final honors to a military member who has given the ultimate sacrifice.

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