Remembering fallen comrades with a celebration of life ceremony

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan - Soldiers assigned to the 110th Transportation Company, 419th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 10th Sustainment Brigade, held a remembrance ceremony July 18 here for two heroes who paid the ultimate sacrifice on the company's previous deployment in 2012.

Sgt. Jenna Moffitt, a Dover, Delaware native, truck commander assigned to the 110th TC, coordinated and conducted a remembrance ceremony for Staff Sgt. Daniel A. Rodriguez, 28, a Baltimore, Maryland native and Sgt. Jose J. Reyes, 24, a San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico native. Both NCOs died July 18, 2012 in Ghazni City, Afghanistan, when their vehicle struck a road side bomb.

Moffitt was assigned to the 110th TC when the two NCOs gave their lives in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

The ceremony was not intended to be a memorial service but a way to celebrate the lives of the two NCOs.

Capt. James Brown, a Phoenix, Arizona native, 419th CSSB chaplain said a prayer for the Families, friends and Soldiers who served with the fallen heroes.

Following the chaplain's prayer a dinner was held in honor of the fallen heroes where the battalion and company command teams served the Soldiers.

Non-alcoholic beer was provided for the Soldiers to make a toast to each fallen hero.

After the dinner, Soldiers made their way outside where the ceremony continued.

Moffitt and Sgt. Ramon Mota, a Syracuse, New York native, truck commander also assigned to the 110th TC, talked about their personal experiences they had with the two NCOs.

Moffitt recalled when she was having a rough time in the Army and looked to Rodriguez for guidance. She said he told her it's simple; the Army will throw a lot of crap your way but its training and leading Soldiers that makes it worthwhile.

Moffitt said she has carried his words with her ever since. She concluded her speech by expressing how strongly she believes that both fallen heroes are watching over the company every day and keeping everyone safe on the road.

Mota talked about the memories he had of his friend Reyes.

"I still remember you smiling and laughing in front of everyone," said Mota. "Like nothing in life troubled you."

He expressed how Reyes is still alive, how he lives on in every memory they shared.

Sgt. Charles Riggs, a Fletcher, Oklahoma native, truck commander assigned to the 110th TC, played "Amazing Grace" on the bagpipes before a moment of silence was observed for the Soldiers to pray, remember or celebrate the lives of the fallen heroes.

Reyes was originally cremated but was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia July 18, 2014.

The company held a candle light ceremony to conclude the celebration of life.

"It turned out very well," said Moffitt. "Everyone was happy we did something in their honor."

Both Moffitt and Mota said they plan to take their families to visit Reyes's resting place when they return from their current deployment.

The company also flew two flags in honor of the two NCOs. The flags were signed by everyone in the company and will be sent to the heroes' families.

"They might have fallen but they are never forgotten," said Mota.

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