Iraqi Air Force Captain Ali Abass was laid to rest this morning at Arlington National Cemetary, alongside with his fellow American comrades who perished in what was reported to be a non-hostile aircraft crash on Memorial Day.
Captain Abass is the first Iraqi serviceman to be buried at the national cemetary. He, along with four fallen Americans, were given full military honors by the Air Force, complete with a 21-gun salute; both Iraqi and American officers were in attendance to honor his sacrifice.
American Air Force Maj. William “Brian” Downs of Frederick Count, VA, Captains Jeremy Fresques, 26, of Clarkdale, Ariz., and Derek Argel, 28, of Lompoc, Calif., both special tactics officers, and Air Force Staff Sgt. Casey Crate, 26, a combat controller from Spanaway, Wash. died in the crash. Due to the nature of the crash, the remains of all five men were unable to be distinctly identified, and thus, were buried together.
Thank you for your service gentleman in the name of freedom.
May ye rest in peace.
Posted by Kyer at August 11, 2005 01:06 PM | TrackBack