131119-F-CJ989-090

by SSgt Kenneth Holston

131119-F-CJ989-090

The doors to a human remains transfer truck are slowly closed after a U.S. Army carry team placed U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Alex Viola’s remains in the truck during a dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base, Del., Nov. 19, 2013. Viola, a resident of Keller, Texas was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Viola was serving in Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan when he died of wounds suffered after stepping on a pressure plate improvised explosive device while on dismounted patrol in Shah Wali Kot, Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kenny Holston)

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Photographer's Narrative

 

Photographing our brave men and women who were killed in action or returning home has always been among the toughest assignments for me. While taking photographs of U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Alex Viola’s dignified transfer, I’ll never forget the looks of intense emotion that hung on the faces of the U.S. Army carry team as they placed the flag draped casket with the remains of their battle buddy into the back of the dignified transfer truck. Freedom truly is not free.