Team Beale honors service and sacrifice

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Robert M. Trujillo
  • 9th Reconnaissance Wing Public Affairs
BEALE AIR FROCE BASE, Calif. --  The 9th Security Forces Squadron held a memorial ceremony in conjunction with National Police Week to honor law enforcement personnel at Heritage Park , May 15 here.

National Police Week occurs each year during the week in which May 15 falls, recognizes the service and sacrifice of law enforcement personnel.

"Today, we honor those warfighters who have chosen be our first and last-line of defense," said Maj. Met Berisha, 9th SFS commander. "They stand guard 24/7 at bases across the globe, so that we can sleep safely at night."

The ceremony featured a "last roll call," a military tradition where service members honor fallen comrades. During this ceremony, an NCO reads the names of everyone in the unit to include the fallen.

According to Berisha reading the names of the deceased ensures all unit members are accounted for, and no one will ever be forgotten.

Near the conclusion of the ceremony, Berisha laid a folded American Flag at the base of a battlefield cross and honored those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Since 2001, 10 security forces Airmen have died in the line of duty supporting Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

"These defenders who gave their lives in defense of their country are true heroes," Berisha said. "Their service and sacrifice will not be forgotten."