Never Forgotten, fallen Offutt defenders receive memorial

A color guard made up of Sailors and Airman from the 55th Security Forces Squadron post the colors at a memorial service held in the guard mount room of the 55th SFS building on Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., Sept. 28. The annual memorial service honors those who’ve given all during Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM. Several family members were also in attendance to unveil a memorial dedicated to their lost loved ones. (U.S. Air Force photo by Josh Plueger/Released)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Never Forgotten, fallen Offutt defenders receive memorial

Kelly Nance takes a photo of the memorial in honor of the men and women who have fallen in combat while in the Security Forces career field at an annual Fallen Defenders and Master at Arms Dedication Ceremony held in the SFS guard mount room Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., Sept. 28. Nance lost her brother, U.S. Navy Master at Arms 2nd class Sean Brazas, as he was serving in Panjaw’l, Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Josh Plueger/Released)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Never Forgotten, fallen Offutt defenders receive memorial

Kelly Nance leans into her husband for support following at Fallen Defenders and Master at Arms Dedication Ceremony held in the guard mount room of the 55th Security Forces Squadron headquarters at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., Sept. 28. Nance lost her brother, U.S. Navy Master at Arms 2nd class Sean Brazas, as he was serving in Panjaw’l, Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Josh Plueger/Released)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Never Forgotten, fallen Offutt defenders receive memorial

The men and women of the 55th Security Forces Squadron stand together in prayer at the conclusion of the annual Fallen Defenders and Master at Arms Dedication Ceremony held in the guard mount room of the 55th SFS building Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., Sept. 28. Family members and coworkers were also in attendance to pay their respects to their fallen loved ones. (U.S. Air Force photo by Josh Plueger/Released)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Never Forgotten, fallen Offutt defenders receive memorial

U.S. Navy Master at Arms 1st Class Marc Hicks, 55th Security Forces Naval detachment speaks about Michael Monsoor who died in combat in Ramadi, Iraq, in 2008, at the 2012 Fallen Defenders and Master at Arms dedication ceremony held in the guard mount room of the 55th SFS headquarters building on Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., Sept. 28. The dedication ceremony is held annually to honor the sacrifices the men and women of the security forces career field have made in support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM. (U.S. Air Force photo by Josh Plueger/Released).

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Never Forgotten, fallen Offutt defenders receive memorial

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Dennis Walker, 55th Security Forces Squadron, gives insight on the type of person the late U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Elizabeth Jacobson was at the annual Fallen Defenders and Master at Arms Dedication Ceremony held at the guard mount room of the 55th SFS headquarters building on Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., Sept. 28. Jacobson lost her life while on tour in Iraq. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Josh Plueger/Released)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res

Never Forgotten, fallen Offutt defenders receive memorial

Published Oct. 3, 2012
By David R. Hopper
55th Wing Public Affairs

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- Offutt Defenders and special guests came together Sept. 28 at the 55th Security Forces Squadron's headquarters on Offutt Air Force base, to dedicate a memorial to security forces members who were killed during Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom.

The memorial was adorned with photos of lost defenders, which included Air Force and Navy members who make up Team Offutt's integrated 55th SFS.

"We just want to pay tribute to the all those men and women who came before us and paid the ultimate sacrifice," said Maj. Thomas Segars, 55th SFS commander.

Special guests at the memorial service included family members of fallen defenders U.S. Navy Master at Arms 2nd Class Sean Brazas and Master at Arms 1st Class John Douangdara.

"It makes us feel good that they honored everybody who has passed in this line of work," said Chan Follen, sister of fallen defender Master at Arms 1st Class John Douangdara. "I feel that people in the military aren't honored enough, they should honor everyone here."

"I am so proud of my brother and to see the ongoing support is just amazing," said Kelly Nance, sister of U.S. Navy Master at Arms 2nd Class Sean Brazas. "I wish I didn't have to see him up there but I am very proud of him."

Emotion was running high at the memorial service and not just for the family members but also to close friends of the fallen like Tech. Sgt. Dennis Walker, 55th SFS, who served with Airman 1st Class Elizabeth Jacobson before she became the first security forces combat casualty since Vietnam.

"The 28th of September will forever be a painful day for me and many others who knew [Airman 1st Class Elizabeth Jacobson]," Walker said. "Not a day goes by that I have not thought of the impact she has had on my life personally."

The memorial service took place on the seven-year anniversary for when friends and family were faced with the loss of Jacobson and it was only fitting that those in attendance were treated to her personal motto.

"We are only on the Earth for a little while, so live life to the fullest and carry a smile," personal motto of Airman 1st Class Elizabeth Jacobson as quoted by Tech. Sgt. Dennis Walker.