Unforgettable experience at base generates comments from other military members

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  • By 452 AMW/PA
  • 452 AMW
MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, CALIF. --  Editor's Note: Last week, we had a fallen Marine arrive at the base. His family was present upon his arrival. The entire base, Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines, civilians and contractors lined Graeber Street to pay their final respect to our fallen hero. Below is a string of e-mails we received thanking all those who participated in that tribute.

To: SGM Charles L. Dillree
Our deepest sympathies for the unit and family of our nation's fallen hero. Land of the free BECAUSE of the brave. Thanks for taking the time to share your March ARB experience with us. I'm truly inspired. 

Chief Huerta - you guys are a class act. Good on ya. This story needs to be shared throughout your base. Hats off to all who "honored" this Marine. 

Ooo-Rah and God Bless the Devil Dogs 

CMSgt MARK S. BREJCHA
Command Chief, 412 TW/CCC
Edwards AFB 

To: Sgt Major Dillree 
I'm sorry to hear of your fallen Marine. I have shared your note with the March ARB Command Chief, CMSgt Agustin Huerta. CMSgt Huerta, please pass on the appreciation enclosed from our sister service for the tremendous respect and honor extended to our fallen Brother. The incredible men and women at March ARB truly exemplify how we are all in this together. I am proud to serve with you one and all! 

V/R, 

ERIC R. JAREN, CMSgt, USAF
Command Chief
95th Air Base Wing
Edwards AFB 

Chiefs,
I wanted to share with you an overwhelming experience that I had earlier today. Your Edwards Marines provided an Honor Guard for a planeside transfer ceremony at March ARB for a fallen Marine. First, the PAO and folks in base ops were incredible going beyond taking care of us while we waited. When the aunt of our fallen Marine fainted on the tarmac, your medical folks were there in a blink rendering aid. 

However, it was after we loaded our young Marine into the hearse and proceeded off the flight line and towards the main gate did I observe a spectacle that I will carry with me the rest of my days. By the hundreds; what looked like every Airmen, Marine, Air Force Employee, and contractor stationed on March ARB to include firefighters with the lights on their trucks flashing, lined both sides of the road from the ops building to the main gate (2 miles) standing at attention, saluting, or waving small American flags. 

To say I was overwhelmed falls inadequately short of addressing what I felt as we passed through that gauntlet. Please pass along my thank you and respect for your counterparts and their teams at March ARB. I am honored to serve with you. 

s/f
Charles L. Dillree
Sergeant Major, MAG-46 Detachment B
Edwards Air Force Base