EOD honors 134 fallen members

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kylee Thomas
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Sweat dripped from their faces, drenching their clothes and weighted vests as they pushed and motivated each other through multiple hours of extensive working out. For explosive ordnance disposal members across the Department of Defense, a grueling workout is how service members from every branch pay tribute to those who lost their lives in the line of duty.

Each year since Sept. 11, 2001, the EOD Memorial Workout is held in honor of the 134 EOD technicians in the Navy, Army, Marine Corps and Air Force who lost their lives in combat.

“Once a year, our flight comes together to honor our fallen brethren who paid the ultimate sacrifice,” said Senior Airman Garret Mosier, 7th Civil Engineering Squadron EOD technician. “The workout is just a small way to remember the struggle they went through by struggling ourselves.”

During the two or three hour long workout, the participants were outfitted with approximately 20 pounds of body armor while completing exercises such as 65 squats, 65 kettle bell swings, multiple 400 meter runs and more.

“Although the struggle of doing this workout is miniscule in comparison to the sacrifice our fallen members made, it’s a way for us to come together to honor them through sweat and hard work,” said Senior Airman William Amershek, 7th CES EOD technician.

For the EOD flight at Dyess AFB, this event is more than just a workout: for them this is a way to push themselves during a workout in memory of the 134 fallen members who were their friends, family and brothers in arms.

“We have members here in our shop who know people that have died in combat, so for them this might be a bit more meaningful,” said Amershek. “I feel honored to be able to do this alongside people who I consider to be my family.

“This event isn’t to mourn our fallen members, it’s to remember their sacrifice to our country.”