Naval School Explosive Ordnance Disposal hosted the 47th Annual Explosive Ordnance Disposal Memorial Ceremony at the EOD Memorial on Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, May 7.

The names of six EOD technicians were added to the memorial. Those added to the memorial this year include:

*Marine Corps Staff Sgt. David B. Lyons; died July 29, 2014 of wounds received in action while deployed in 2010 to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom

*Navy Lt.j.g. Gardner T. Hutchins; killed in action aboard the USS Bunker Hill about 90 miles east of Okinawa on May 11, 1945 while serving in WWII

*Navy Chief Aviation Ordnanceman William C. Meadville; killed in action October 1, 1944, while serving in WWII

*Army 1st Lt. Mack T. Jarret; killed in action Nov. 22, 1943 while serving in WWII

*Army Tech. Sgt. Louis Brovetto; killed in action July 30, 1944 while serving in WWII

*Army Pvt. Clinton E. Mullenix; died May 15, 1943, during a training exercise while serving in WWII

United States Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III was the featured speaker and said the memorial represents both an end and a beginning.

"Today we lift up 320 names carved in brass, and we mourn 320 remarkable lives curtailed, 320 families shattered, 320 tragically short stories," Welsh said. "At the same time, we celebrate this sacred place as a beacon, where every Soldier, Sailor, Airman and Marine follows the trail these heroes blazed."

Each of NAVSCOLEOD's service detachment commanders and senior enlisted placed a wreath next to their respective service's plaque on the EOD Memorial while the names of the fallen EOD specialists were read aloud, concluding with the phrase, "We Remember." Flags, previously flown over the EOD Memorial, were presented to each of the families.

"At the EOD Memorial ceremony we honor and solemnly remember warriors that have given the greatest sacrifice in the defense of our great democracy," said Capt. Charles Andrews, NAVSCOLEOD commanding officer. "We aspire to peace, and would prefer to not have any names on the memorial wall, but realize that peace must be fought for and defended. I am honored to memorialize these warriors so that we always remember. Today's ceremony makes me reflect on all that is great about our military and country."

The EOD Memorial honors 320 EOD technicians who have died in the line of duty since 1942; more than 130 of those since September 11, 2001.

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.

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.

For more information on the Naval Education and Training Command, visit NETC website: http://www.netc.navy.mil

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