31st Fighter Wing Airmen pay respect to fallen

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Brian J. Wagner
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  Approximately 40 Airmen from the 31st Fighter Wing participated in the Florence American Cemetery Memorial Day service May 31.

The annual event was held to honor all fallen servicemembers and to pay respect to 4,402 military personnel buried at the cemetery in Florence, Italy.

The event included speeches, a wreath-laying ceremony and a 21-gun salute. This year, members of the 731st Munitions Squadron from Camp Darby participated with a formation and wreath bearers, while the honor guard came from Aviano.

"I wanted to get a better understanding of the sacrifices others have made for our country and pay respect to them," said Senior Airmen Ilya Kharitonov, a 731st MUNS Airman who stood in formation. "The event made me proud to wear a uniform, and I was able to see how well the cemetery is maintained."

The Aviano Air Base Honor Guard Team was also on hand to ensure the colors were posted. They traveled more than four hours to Florence to ensure the colors were posted.

"Our Honor Guard team had an outstanding performance," said 1st Lt. Axel Zengotita, Base Honor Guard OIC. "With a short-notice requirement of a joint color guard (with the Carabinieri) and limited practice time due to mission requirements, deployments and (permanent changes of station) season, it is remarkable for me to see these group of volunteers perform at the highest level every time they put on their ceremonial uniform."

The 31st Fighter Wing usually supports the Florence American Cemetery event every other year. The Aviano Boy Scouts also volunteer each year to ensure the cemetery is prepared for the event.

For more information on the Florence American Cemetery, visit their Web site at http://www.abmc.gov/cemeteries/cemeteries/fl.php.