Alaska Veterans Museum

Military History – Veteran’s Stories

Bringing Our Fallen Home

Bringing Our Fallen Home: Having loaded “bluebarks” on military aircraft, ridden on military aircraft with transfer cases and coffins; off-loaded with great dignity those bluebarks: caskets and transfer cases, it’s comforting to know our military and their families are treated with the greatest compassion in their extreme emotional time and with greatest comfort possible. I’ve also done it at the other end, as the officer in charge of the flag at grave site and presented it to the family.

When a U.S. service member dies overseas, the utmost care goes into making sure they are brought home with dignity, that their families are taken care of and the circumstances of their death are investigated. A large team of dedicated individuals carries out this sacred mission.

Care, Service & Support

The effort to bring our fallen home from overseas is a massive endeavor coordinated by Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations. It involves a lot of caring people, from civilian mortuary specialists to service members and liaisons who support the families of the fallen.

Inside the Process of Bringing Our Overseas Fallen Home

When a U.S. service member dies while on duty overseas, a massive endeavor begins to get that person home with dignity and respect.

How Fallen Service Members’ Personal Effects Are Returned to Family

Born out of the tragedy of 9/11, the Joint Personal Effects Depot now plays a key role in receiving and safeguarding the personal effects of fallen service members and returning them to their loved ones.

Meet the Airmen Who Comfort Families of the Fallen During Dignified Transfers

Families of U.S. service members who die while on duty overseas face unimaginable grief, as well as a lot of questions that need to be answered to bring their loved one home. A vast network of caring folks bas

Care, Service & Support

The effort to bring our fallen home from overseas is a massive endeavor coordinated by Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations. It involves a lot of caring people, from civilian mortuary specialists to service members and liaisons who support the families of the fallen.

Inside the Process of Bringing Our Overseas Fallen Home

When a U.S. service member dies while on duty overseas, a massive endeavor begins to get that person home with dignity and respect.

How Fallen Service Members’ Personal Effects Are Returned to Family

Born out of the tragedy of 9/11, the Joint Personal Effects Depot now plays a key role in receiving and safeguarding the personal effects of fallen service members and returning them to their loved ones.

Meet the Airmen Who Comfort Families of the Fallen During Dignified Transfers

Families of U.S. service members who die while on duty overseas face unimaginable grief, as well as a lot of questions that need to be answered to bring their loved one home. A vast network of caring folks based at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, helps them through that process.

Videos

PlaceholdPreparing Uniforms for the Fallen

PlaceholdUniforms Section Tour

PlaceholdPreparing the American Flag

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