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  • Center offers respite for families of fallen

    Robin Raine walked through the plush, richly appointed room with purpose, her eyes fixed on a lampshade that was askew, a flaw in the otherwise immaculate sitting area. She was intent on ensuring all was perfect for the families who would arrive shortly. They may not notice a speck of dust or a

  • Mortuary Airman cares for personal effects

    Master Sgt. Tracy Bailey painstakingly cleans jewelry each day, putting the shine on cherished wedding bands and polishing gold and silver chains. She is meticulous in her work, buffing and polishing every inch of every item -- all while knowing this jewelry may never be worn again. As

  • Mortuary staff prepares uniforms for fallen

    Army Sgt. 1st Class Jimmy Toro slides ribbons onto a rack, then clips the rack onto a brand-new dress uniform, the finishing touch on a lengthy process to ensure the proper medals and decorations are in place. He smiles as he admires his handiwork, lifting the jacket to ensure each medal and

  • Dignified transfer pays tribute to fallen

    The 757 came to a halt on the runway here, a freezing rain bouncing off of its fuselage.Army Staff Sgt. Michael David P. Cardenaz and Army Pfc. JR Salvacion, who had been killed in Afghanistan just a few days prior, had returned home. Their return to U.S. soil would be marked, not with elaborate

  • Air Force Mortuary ensures dignity, honor for fallen

    Under a deluge of rain, the 757 touched down here late at night, returning Army Staff Sgt. Michael David P. Cardenaz home. He had been killed just a few days before in an enemy attack in Afghanistan. With family and friends near, an Army carry team marched in slow, measured steps to the aircraft,

  • MCPON Visits Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations Center

    Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy MCPON Rick West visited the Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations Center at Dover Air Force Base, Del., Feb. 16 to see the process of dignified transfers of our Nation's fallen service members and the care, service and support given to their families. West was

  • AFMAO chaplain encourages preparation, resiliency in weathering storms

    Get your life in order, putting into place the kinds of resources that will help carry you through difficult and emotionally trying times. That's the advice of Chaplain David Sparks, senior port mortuary chaplain at the Air Force Mortuary Operations Center at Dover Air Force Base, Del. He said

  • Specialist helps provide dignity, honor to fallen servicemembers

    Like other servicemembers deployed to the Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations Center, one staff sergeant here is taking full advantage of her opportunity to provide dignity, honor and respect to fallen warriors and their families. Staff Sgt. Candice Foxe is on a four-month deployment as a dress

  • Former Marine now honors fallen service members

    When Carl Groh was a young Marine infantryman serving outside Da Nang, South Vietnam, he saw many of his brother Marines killed in action but never had the chance to escort the fallen warriors home.Today, more than 40 years later, Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Carl Groh has come full circle. As a chaplain for