Colonel helps educate Lifelong Learning students

  • Published
  • By Christin Michaud
  • Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Col. Thomas C. Joyce, Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations commander, gave a dozen students insight to the mortuary mission during a presentation Oct. 26, at the Modern Maturity Center for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.

The colonel was a guest speaker for students primarily part of the Current Events Speaker Series class.

The Institute offers classes for individuals over the age of 50 in topics like history, political science, literature, science and music.

"There are no tests and no grades, just learning for the fun of it," said Amy Weissenfluh, program coordinator for the University of Delaware program at the Modern Maturity Center in Dover, Del.

This afternoon, the presentation focused on the mission of honoring the fallen and the care and support provided to the families.

"The Dover AFB Mortuary is a worldwide story and a point of pride in how our military cares for our returning heroes and, in particular, their families," said course instructor Dave Skocik.

More than 5,000 family members and friends have traveled to Dover for the dignified transfer of their loved one.

"Every single day, every single one is as important as the last one and as important as the next one," said Joyce.

The Center for Families of the Fallen hosts families waiting to witness the dignified transfers of their fallen hero who are returning to American soil after paying the ultimate price for freedom.

The commander also shared a part of the mission that isn't widely known. He highlighted the work of the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command in Hawaii and the past conflicts branch at the Charles C. Carson Center for Mortuary Affairs while his experience as an escort for two fallen heroes from Vietnam.

"They're still working diligently everyday to account for those remains of the our fallen who have not yet been returned, whether it is World War II, Korea, Vietnam or any incidents from the Cold War Period," said Joyce.

"I had the honor myself of going out and escorting home the remains of two fallen aviators who went down in an F-4 Fighter over Laos," he said.

From the moment he landed in Dallas to the arrival for the funeral service, the respect and patriotism recognizing a fallen hero was widespread.

There were nothing but tears of joy, explained the colonel. While representing the Air Force in his service dress, Joyce encountered a guy about his age who was holding his son. The man pointed to the eagle insignia on Joyce's shoulders and said to the young boy, "your grandpa was a colonel."

This and other stories as well as videos of a dignified transfer and return of a fallen hero on the way to his final resting place, touched those in attendance.

"The air base plays a vital role in the Dover community," said Weissenfluh. "I don't think the community is aware of the important part the mortuary does for our men and women in uniform."

When Joyce asked for questions, students instead saluted or thanked Joyce and his staff for the dignity they provide.

"Col. Joyce's presentation was comprehensive, enlightening, and most importantly, from the heart," said Skocik. "It was our most compelling presentation to date."