Fall - United States Special Operations Command

MSgt Mike Maroney renders a salute after removing the flash from his pararescue beret and leaving it on the casket of his fallen comrade,
TSgt Michael Flores who died in a helicopter crash 9 June 2010, in Afghanistan. Pararescuemen have begun the tradition of
leaving their beret flashes to their fallen warriors as a sign of honor and respect. (U.S. Air Force photo/SSgt Bennie J. Davis III)
PARARESCUEMEN: HONORING FALLEN WARRIORS
Two pararescuemen were among the four Airmen killed on 9 June 2010 when insurgents shot down their HH-60G Pave Hawk
in southern Afghanistan, near Forward Operating Base Jackson, in the Helmand province. TSgt Michael Flores, 31, from San Antonio,
TX, and SrA Benjamin D. White, 24, from Erwin, TX, were both assigned to the 48th Rescue Squadron at Davis-Monthan Air
Force Base, AZ. Their HH-60G Pave Hawk crashed as the pararescue airmen were performing a medical-evacuation mission. The
motto of the pararescue men is “... these things we do, that others may live.” These pararescuemen and their helicopter crew gave their
lives in the defense of our nation and their fellow Soldiers in need of rescue. Their motto is very fitting for these heroes.
The airmen were deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and were responsible for casualty evacuation. Senior Airman
White was on his first deployment and had been in Afghanistan less than two months. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack.
“It’s a big deal every time we lose someone,” said Brig Gen. Frederick B. Hodges, “But this is more of a jolt. The MEDE-
VAC crews are some of the bravest people in the world. Just by the nature of what they do; they’re always moving into danger.”
More than 20 pararescuemen, active duty, retired, and prior service from across the U.S., donned their service dress uniforms,
with boots and maroon berets, and fell into formation to pay their final respects to their fallen comrade, TSgt Michael Flores, in a funeral
ceremony at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery on 19 June.
There are approximately 350 to 375 pararescuemen currently in the Air Force, said CMSgt Lee Shaffer, the pararescue career field manager.
“Once you’re a pararescueman, always a pararescueman,” Chief Shaffer said of the retired and prior pararescuemen who
came out to honor TSgt Flores. “It's not uncommon for prior [pararescuemen] to show up at these events. We want them to wear their
berets. We are a brotherhood.”The ceremony proceeded much like many other services do, but once the official ceremony concluded,
the pararescue ritual began.
The pararescuemen fell out of formation and formed a line up to the casket. One by one, they marched smartly to the casket
and saluted TSgt Flores. Then, they took off their berets and removed the flash, and placed it on TSgt Flores’ casket. They put their
berets back on and saluted TSgt Flores for the last time.
The flash is a device worn on the beret and is worn only by pararescuemen who have completed the two years of training it
takes to become fully qualified. The flash comprises a guardian angel wrapping its arms around the world, which symbolizes the mission
of pararescuemen. Underneath the flash it reads “That others may live,” the pararescue credo.
The tradition of slamming the flashes into the casket, so they stick and stay with the member forever, began shortly after 11 September
2001, when SrA Jason Cunningham, a pararescueman, was killed in the battle at Roberts Ridge in Afghanistan, Chief Shaffer said.
The beret, and the flash that’s pinned on it, are probably the single most important uniform item to a pararescueman. “To us
it represents all of our hard work, our dedication, and basically our heart and soul.” Chief Shaffer said. “We want our fallen warrior
to be forever buried with what's most precious to us and what was most precious to him.”Flores, a 32-year-old pararescueman, had
earned the Distinguished Flying Cross and deployed eight times during his 12 years in the service. White, a 24-year-old pararescueman,
had served in the Air Force since July 2006 and was on his first deployment.
Editor’s Note: In the Army, the “flash” is a colored woven patch that is sewn onto the beret. The “crest” is a metallic device that is
pinned onto the beret through the flash. The Army shares in this tradition by slamming their crests into the casket of fallen brother.
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