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AFSOC Christmas tree honors the fallen

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Lynette M. Rolen
  • Air Force Special Operations Command Public Affairs

In the Air Force Special Operations Command Headquarters building, there is a Christmas tree, beautifully lit with a long red garland draped around it and about 170 stars hanging on its branches.

Each star carries the name of AFSOC’s fallen heroes and the date on which we lost them.

The red, white, blue and gold represent our fallen heroes, with gold marking those killed in combat.  

Preservation of the Force and Family (POTFF) came up with the idea to create a Christmas tree to honor AFSOC’s fallen.  

"It's a holiday tradition to decorate a tree and place gifts under it for the special people in our lives,” said Maj. Gen. Michael Plehn, AFSOC deputy commander. “I would tell you that this tree is even more special than most. The stars on our tree represent our fallen AFSOC heroes and remind us of the most precious gift any of us have received...a gift they have freely given to all of us...their selfless service in defense of our nation's freedom...protecting our friends, our families, and our way of life.”

Some leaders of the program have a very personal connection to the effort. Kalie Walters-Storer, AFSOC’s POTFF community program peer network coordinator and one of the lead members for this initiative, shared her story.

“My dad was killed in action in 2003 in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan,” said Walters-Storer. “It inspired me to let families like mine know we are honoring them and remembering them and their heroes throughout the year.”

Walters-Storer was just a teenager when her father was killed. She wrote his name on a gold star, remembering his ultimate sacrifice.

“I felt it was right to do,” said Walters-Storer. “Especially around the holidays, since it’s hard for most families without their loved ones. This is how we let them know that we are thinking of them and letting them know they are not forgotten.”

 

 

For more information about the initiative of this program, visit their Facebook page.

 

https://www.facebook.com/AFSOCFF/