Naval School Explosive Ordnance Disposal (NAVSCOLEOD) hosted the 49th Annual Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Memorial Ceremony at the EOD Memorial May 5.

The EOD community from each of the joint services gathered to honor the memory of 326 heroes, including over 130 since September 11, 2001, and add EOD technicians to the EOD Memorial next to the Kauffman EOD Training Complex on Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.

"Every year we gather to commemorate all the EOD technicians who have lost their lives while serving our country," said NAVSCOLEOD Commanding Officer Capt. Charles Andrews. "This year we will add 12 names to the wall from warriors who served during World War II, Vietnam and Grenada. While we do not have any EOD technicians who have lost their lives this past year, it is not lost upon us that our job is still inherently dangerous, and we still have many Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines deployed and serving in many different parts of the world today."

Those added to the memorial this year include:
* Army Cpl. Norman Reynolds, killed in action on Aug. 17, 1944 while serving in World War II.
* Army Pvt. Joseph T. Seredinski, killed in action on Aug. 17, 1944 while serving in World War II.
* Army Cpl. Joseph J. Kozic, killed in action on Oct. 16, 1944 while serving in World War II.
* Army Cpl. Elmer L. Allison, killed in action on Oct. 16, 1944 while serving in World War II.
* Army Capt. Paul B. Bowman, killed on Jan. 31, 1970 while serving in Vietnam.
* Army Capt. Frederick P. Smith, killed on Feb. 13, 1971 while serving in Vietnam.
* Navy Lt. j.g. John T. S. Och, killed on Oct. 25, 1944 while serving in World War II.
* Navy Lt. j.g. George P. McNear III, killed on Jan. 28, 1945 while serving in World War II.
* Navy Lt. Lawrence L. L. Heideman, killed on March 3, 1945 while serving in World War II.
* Navy Lt. j.g. Marvin W. Johnson, killed on April 20, 1945 while serving in World War II.
* Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Stephen L. Morris, killed on Oct. 23, 1983 in Grenada.
* Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer Robert R. Schamberger, killed on Oct. 23, 1983 in Grenada.

U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Michael H. Shields, director, Joint Improvised-Threat Defeat Organization (JIDO), served as guest speaker, reflecting on the extraordinary efforts and critical traits of these EOD heroes, the EOD mission, and the immeasurable sacrifice of their families.

NAVSCOLEOD's service detachment commanders and senior enlisted placed a wreath next to their respective service's cenotaph on the EOD Memorial while a fellow service member read the names of their fallen EOD heroes aloud. They concluded with the phrase "We Remember," signifying the very essence and ethos of EOD technicians to never forget the extraordinary efforts of EOD brothers and sisters who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

The respective service senior general or admiral then presented a flag, previously flown over the EOD Memorial, to each of the families.

Staff members from all four services at NAVSCOLEOD, as well as members of the EOD Warrior Foundation, coordinated and executed comprehensive preparations for the ceremony.

The EOD Memorial Foundation, established in 1969, merged with the Wounded EOD Warrior Foundation in March 2013 to form the EOD Warrior Foundation, which combines the missions and resources of these established organizations to increase the capacity to serve and support the joint service EOD community.

"Today we add 12 new names to the EOD Memorial wall, a memorial that ensures our fallen EOD warriors who have made the ultimate sacrifice will never be forgotten," said Nicole Motsek, EOD Warrior Foundation executive director. "The warriors added today, and the 326 before them, are heroes, and it is an honor and privilege to preserve their legacy on this beautiful memorial, as well as to provide support to their families."

On April 15, 2014, the Okaloosa County Board of Commissioners officially proclaimed the first Saturday in May as "EOD Day" in honor of the memorial ceremony. The first Saturday of every May represents a sacred time for the EOD community to reflect and remember the heroic actions of fallen EOD Warriors.

The EOD Memorial stands as a monument to the honor, courage and commitment exemplified by EOD technicians from the joint services as they performed the EOD mission.

The EOD badge and its three levels (Basic, Senior, and Master) became the standard for all services in the 1950s. To this day, the EOD badge remains the only badge in the military identical to all branches of the armed forces. This unique distinction reflects the vital role of NAVSCOLEOD in training joint EOD warriors.

NAVSCOLEOD, located on Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, provides high-risk, specialized, basic and advanced EOD training to U.S. and partner nation military and selected U.S. government personnel each year.

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