Odierno helps Army honor 'sacrifices of our EOD heroes'

By Billy P. Martin, Naval School Explosive Ordnance Disposal Public AffairsMay 13, 2014

EOD Memorial
1 / 19 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Odierno helps Army honor 'sacrifices of our EOD heroes'
2 / 19 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ray Odierno makes his remarks as Guest Speaker of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) 45th Annual memorial Service at the Kauffman EOD Training Complex on Eglin Air Force Base, FL, May 3, 2014. The Service is held eve... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Odierno helps Army honor 'sacrifices of our EOD heroes'
3 / 19 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Daughter of fallen Soldier Staff Sgt. Kenneth "Wade" Bennett comforts her mother as her father is commemorated at the Explosive Ordnance Memorial (EOD) 45th Annual memorial Service at the Kauffman EOD Training Complex on Eglin Air Force Base, FL, May... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Odierno helps Army honor 'sacrifices of our EOD heroes'
4 / 19 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors, and Marines attend the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) 45th Annual memorial Service to pay respect their Fallen Comrades at the Kauffman EOD Training Complex on Eglin Air Force Base, FL, May 3, 2014. The Service is held ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Odierno helps Army honor 'sacrifices of our EOD heroes'
5 / 19 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ray Odierno makes his remarks as Guest Speaker of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) 45th Annual memorial Service at the Kauffman EOD Training Complex on Eglin Air Force Base, FL, May 3, 2014. The Service is held eve... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Odierno helps Army honor 'sacrifices of our EOD heroes'
6 / 19 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ray Odierno makes his remarks as Guest Speaker of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) 45th Annual memorial Service at the Kauffman EOD Training Complex on Eglin Air Force Base, FL, May 3, 2014. The Service is held eve... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Odierno helps Army honor 'sacrifices of our EOD heroes'
7 / 19 Show Caption + Hide Caption – from left, Sgt. Maj. Brian Curtis and Maj. David Duncan stand by to lay a wreath to honor their Fallen Comrades at the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) 45th Annual memorial Service at the Kauffman EOD Training Complex on Eglin Air Force Base, FL, Ma... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Odierno helps Army honor 'sacrifices of our EOD heroes'
8 / 19 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Sgt. Maj. Brian Curtis adds the names of Fallen Soldiers; Staff Sgt. Kenneth "Wade" Bennett, Staff Sgt. Nicholas Reid, Sgt. First Class Jeffrey C. Baker and Staff Sgt. Joshua J. Bowden on the cenotaph during the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) 45t... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Odierno helps Army honor 'sacrifices of our EOD heroes'
9 / 19 Show Caption + Hide Caption – from left, Sgt. Maj. Brian Curtis and Maj. David Duncan render a Salute to Honor their Fallen Comrades during the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) 45th Annual memorial Service at the Kauffman EOD Training Complex on Eglin Air Force Base, FL, May 3, ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Odierno helps Army honor 'sacrifices of our EOD heroes'
10 / 19 Show Caption + Hide Caption – from left, Sgt. Maj. Brian Curtis and Maj. David Duncan lay a Wreath to commemorate Fallen Comrades during the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) 45th Annual memorial Service at the Kauffman EOD Training Complex on Eglin Air Force Base, FL, May 3, 201... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Odierno helps Army honor 'sacrifices of our EOD heroes'
11 / 19 Show Caption + Hide Caption – 20th CBRNE Command Commander Brig. Gen. J.B. Burton presents wife of Fallen Soldier Staff Sgt. Kenneth "Wade" Bennett with a U.S. Flag that was flown over the Explosive Ordnance Memorial (EOD) at the EOD 45th Annual (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Odierno helps Army honor 'sacrifices of our EOD heroes'
12 / 19 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ray Odierno gives his condolences to wife of fallen Soldier Staff Sgt. Kenneth "Wade" Bennett during the Explosive Ordnance Memorial 45th Annual memorial Service at the Kauffman EOD Training Complex on Eglin Air Force Base, F... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Odierno helps Army honor 'sacrifices of our EOD heroes'
13 / 19 Show Caption + Hide Caption – 20th CBRNE Command Commander Brig. Gen. J.B. Burton presents the parents of Fallen Soldier Staff Sgt. Nicholas Reid with a U.S. Flag that was flown over the Explosive Ordnance Memorial (EOD) at the EOD 45th Annual Memorial Service at the Kauffman EO... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Odierno helps Army honor 'sacrifices of our EOD heroes'
14 / 19 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ray Odierno gives his condolences to parents of Fallen Soldier Staff Sgt. Nicholas Reid during the Explosive Ordnance Memorial (EOD) 45th Annual memorial Service at the Kauffman EOD Training Complex on Eglin Air Force B... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Odierno helps Army honor 'sacrifices of our EOD heroes'
15 / 19 Show Caption + Hide Caption – 20th CBRNE Command Commander Brig. Gen. J.B. Burton presents daughter of Fallen Soldier Sgt. First Class Jeffrey C. Baker with a U.S. Flag that was flown over the Explosive Ordnance Memorial (EOD) at the EOD 45th Annual memorial Service at the Kauffm... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Odierno helps Army honor 'sacrifices of our EOD heroes'
16 / 19 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ray Odierno gives his condolences to daughter and wife of Fallen Soldier Sgt. First Class Jeffrey C. Baker during the Explosive Ordnance Memorial (EOD) 45th Annual memorial Service at the Kauffman EOD Training Complex o... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Odierno helps Army honor 'sacrifices of our EOD heroes'
17 / 19 Show Caption + Hide Caption – 20th CBRNE Command Commander Brig. Gen. J.B. Burton presents son of Fallen Soldier Staff Sgt. Joshua J. Bowden with a U.S. Flag that was flown over the Explosive Ordnance Memorial (EOD) at the EOD 45th Annual memorial Service at the Kauffman EOD Trai... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Odierno helps Army honor 'sacrifices of our EOD heroes'
18 / 19 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ray Odierno gives his condolences to son and wife of Fallen Soldier Staff Sgt. Joshua J. Bowden during the Explosive Ordnance Memorial (EOD) 45th Annual Memorial Service at the Kauffman EOD Training Complex on Eglin Air ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Odierno helps Army honor 'sacrifices of our EOD heroes'
19 / 19 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Parents of Fallen Soldier Staff Sgt. Nicholas Reid attend the Explosive Ordnance Memorial (EOD) 45th Annual Memorial Service as their son was commemorated at the Kauffman EOD Training Complex on Eglin Air Force Base, FL, May 3, 2014. The Service is ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (May 5, 2014) -- Naval School Explosive Ordnance Disposal hosted the 45th Annual Explosive Ordnance Disposal Memorial Ceremony at the EOD Memorial next to the Kauffman EOD Training Complex here, Saturday.

The EOD community from all four Services gathered to remember the historical legacy of 298 EOD heroes as well as to add an additional eight EOD Technicians to the EOD Memorial (four Soldiers and four Marines) who recently gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Raymond T. Odierno delivered a poignant speech that characterized the extraordinary efforts and critical aspects of these EOD heroes and the EOD mission, as well as the immeasurable sacrifice of their families.

"This memorial represents 72 years of service by the EOD community," Odierno said. "From World War II onward, we pay tribute to the men and women who volunteered to serve for one of the most dangerous missions in our profession, that of personnel protection and explosives identification, disarmament, and demolition. This memorial celebrates the professionalism, selfless service and sacrifices of our EOD heroes in operations at home and abroad. In times of war and in times of peace, these EOD technicians and leaders protected our fellow service members by accomplishing our mission each day. This morning, we recognize eight service members whose names will be placed alongside those of 298 Soldiers, Marines, Sailors and Airmen who have made the ultimate sacrifice."

The four Service Detachment commanders and senior enlisted advisers from the Naval School Explosive Ordnance Disposal, or NAVSCOLEOD, placed a wreath next to their respective service's cenotaph on the EOD Memorial, while a fellow service member read the names of their fallen EOD heroes aloud, concluding with the phrase "We Remember." The Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. James F. Amos, presented a flag (previously flown over the EOD Memorial) to each of the families of the four fallen Marines, and Brig. Gen. JB Burton, commander of the U.S. Army 20th CBRNE Command, presented a flag (previously flown over the EOD Memorial) to each of the families of the four Soldiers.

"We Remember" signifies the very essence and ethos of EOD technicians to never forget the extraordinary efforts and sacrifices of our EOD brothers and sisters who made the ultimate sacrifice. The EOD Memorial stands as an amazing monument to the honor, courage, and commitment exemplified by EOD Technicians from all four services as they performed the EOD mission.

"EOD technicians of all services make a solemn promise when we enter the EOD community that we will never forget," said Capt. William Noel, commanding officer of NAVSCOLEOD. "We will never forget those heroes who have gone before us, their bravery, courage, and their ultimate sacrifice. New EOD technicians who graduate each week at this school in front of this memorial share this promise and vow to carry on this charge throughout their careers and years to come. Legacy and honoree families, we will never forget."

Staff members from all four services at NAVSCOLEOD as well as members of the EOD Warrior Foundation coordinated and executed comprehensive preparations for the ceremony.

The EOD Memorial Foundation, established in 1969, merged with the Wounded EOD Warrior Foundation, in March 2013, to form the EOD Warrior Foundation, which combines the missions and resources of these established organizations to increase the capacity to serve and support the joint service EOD community.

"Today we add eight new names to the EOD Memorial Wall, a memorial that ensures our fallen EOD warriors who have made the ultimate sacrifice will never be forgotten," said Nicole Motsek, executive director of EOD Warrior Foundation. "The Soldiers and Marines added today, and the 298 before them, are heroes, and it is an honor and privilege to preserve their legacy and continue to support their families."

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NAVSCOLEOD, located on Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., provides high-risk, specialized, basic and advanced EOD training to U.S. and partner nation military and selected U.S. government personnel each year.

Related Documents:

2014 EOD Memorial Service program [PDF]

Related Links:

Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Ray Odierno on Instagram

Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Ray Odierno on Twitter

Army.mil: Army Families

Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Ray Odierno

Army.mil: North America News

Explosive Ordnance Disposal Specialist (89D)

Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Ray Odierno on Facebook