By Capt. Marnee A.C. Losurdo, 512th Airlift Wing Public Affairs / Published April 21, 2009
Soldiers carry the remains of Army Spc. Israel Candelaria Mejias of San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico, off an aircraft April 7, 2009, at Dover Air Force Base, Del., which has the only stateside port mortuary. Specialist Candelaria Mejias died April 5 near Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds sustained when a mine detonated near him during combat operations. (U.S. Air Force photo/Roland Balik)
Shipping specialists Staff Sgt. Star Samuels, left, and Tech. Sgt. Willard Rico place a U.S. flag over a casket while practicing procedures for the dignified transfer of remains shipping process at the Charles C. Carson Center for Mortuary Affairs, Dover Air force Base, Del., March 31, 2009. Both Airmen are on temporary duty at the center. Sergeant Samuels is from the 43rd Force Support Squadron, Pope AFB, N.C., and Sergeant Rico is from the 60th FSS, Travis AFB, Calif. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Bennie J. Davis III)
Tech. Sgt. Latersa Frazier, a personal effects supervisor, polishes a watch April 1, 2009, to demonstrate the cleaning process of personal effects conducted during preparation of the dignified transfer of remains process at the Charles C. Carson Center for Mortuary Affairs, Dover Air Force Base, Del. The personal effects office prepares and cleans all items before giving them to the families of fallen heroes. Sergeant Frazier is from the 43rd Force Support Squadron at Pope AFB, N.C. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Bennie J. Davis III)