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They perform a mission so sensitive it’s hardly ever talked about. Their spotless, sanitized work environment at the 21st Theater Sustainment Command’s Mortuary Affairs Office is permeated with sorrow and grief. They are mortuary affairs specialists who share a quiet pride in what they do.
Currently, there are five mortuary affairs specialists from the U.S. Army Reserve’s 246th Quartermaster Company assisting the 21st TSC’s Mortuary Affairs Office, which is located at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center.
The mortuary affairs Soldiers arrived in Kaiserslautern from Ramey Air Force Base in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, and despite dreary days, meat-and-potato-based diets and other geographical or cultural peculiarities, they are extremely positive about their three-week stint with the 21st TSC.
“This is a great opportunity for us. We assist the mortuary affairs staff here, but they help us too. We are actually performing mortuary affairs duties, hands-on. This is the real world, no longer just theory or book-learning,” said Pfc. Pedro Gonzales, a mortuary affairs specialist with the 246th QM Co.
“It is very sad to actually perform the duties we have trained for. You have to prepare yourself mentally and psychologically to do it,” said Sgt. Moises Cordero, a mortuary affairs specialist with the 246th QM Co. “But it is also very rewarding because we do our work with respect and dignity to honor our fallen heroes.”
Part of the 21st TSC Mortuary Affairs Office’s responsibility is to take care of deceased Soldiers, retirees and Department of Defense civilians. The 21st TSC provides support to the U.S. European Command and some outlying units of U.S. Africa Command spread across more than 37 countries. With such a significant mission, the Reserve unit’s augmentation is highly valued.
“The Overseas Development Training team and the 21st TSC truly appreciate the crucial support the 246th QM Co. provides to the command. We began our rotations in January and had units assist throughout the year. As we plan for fiscal year 2010 and 2011, I can only see that relationship improve and grow,” said Lt. Col. Philmore Williams, the operations, training and ODT officer with the 21st TSC’s Army Reserve Affairs Office.
Mortuary affairs specialists’ duties include the recovery, collection and evacuation of the remains, establishment of tentative identification, escort and temporary interment. They also inventory, safeguard and evacuate personal effects of deceased personnel.
The other often-mentioned aspect of performing those duties concerns family – with the Army being the family of those who serve and their families.
“The (fallen) Soldiers have sacrificed all, and we are proud to provide this last service for them. We are honored that we can treat them with the respect and dignity they deserve. They are part of our family,” said Spc. Alex Perez, a mortuary affairs specialist with the 246th QM Co. “Their sacrifice was for us too.”
Sgt. Omar Alvarez, a mortuary affairs specialist with the 246th QM Co., said it’s difficult to know what to do for the families; they really can’t help, but can only strive to do the best and most professional job possible.
Unfortunately, being professional does not facilitate the performance of their duties.
“You attempt to separate yourself and focus on the work, but even the most routine tasks never become
routine,” Specialist Perez said. “This is our own way to serve our country. Not many people can do what we do. Not many people are prepared to do what we do. There is honor in being able to perform these important duties.”
It also takes a great measure of grit right along with a lot of sensitivity and caring to perform the noble duties of what is often termed the hardest job in the Army.
