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Chief Master Sgt. Michael West, a combat controller assigned to the 720th Operations Support Squadron and Silver Star recipient, speaks during the Memorial Day ceremony May 28, 2018, at Garland County Veterans Memorial and Military Park, Hot Springs National Park, Ark. West, along with retired service members, solemnly observed Memorial Day. The holiday origins can be traced back to the South during the Civil War when soldiers wanted to recognize their fallen comrades. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kristine M. Gruwell)

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The Little Rock Air Force Base Honor Guard presents the colors during the National Anthem during a Memorial Day service May 28, 2018, at Garland County Veterans Memorial and Military Park, Hot Springs National Park, Ark. Retired and active-duty service observed the holiday by noting its origins which can be traced back to the South during the Civil War when soldiers wanted to recognize their fallen comrades. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kristine M. Gruwell)

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An Air Force veteran strikes up a conversation with a Little Rock Air Force Base Honor Guard member May 28, 2018, at Garland County Veterans Memorial and Military Park, Hot Springs National Park, Ark. The LRAFB Honor Guard presented the colors during a Memorial Day service honoring those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kristine M. Gruwell)

ST chief commemorates Memorial Day

Published May 31, 2018
By Airman 1st Class Kristine M. Gruwell
19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. --

Chief Master Sgt. Michael West, the superintendent of the 720th Operations Support Squadron, spoke during a Memorial Day ceremony May 28, 2018, at Garland County Veterans Memorial and Military Park, Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas. West, a Silver Star medal recipient, is a career Special Tactics combat controller, whose mission is to deploy, undetected, into combat and hostile environments to establish assault zones or airfields, while simultaneously conducting air traffic control, fire support, command and control, direct action, counter-terrorism, foreign internal defense, humanitarian assistance and special reconnaissance in the joint arena.

West, along with retired service members, solemnly observed Memorial Day. The holiday origins can be traced back to the South during the Civil War when soldiers wanted to recognize their fallen comrades. (U.S. Air Force photos by Airman 1st Class Kristine M. Gruwell)