During Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, the battlefield cross began to attract popular attention, with numerous units erecting Battle Crosses to commemorate their comrades. Since they could not attend the funerals of their fellow soldiers, some units made a habit of paying tribute at the Battlefield Cross and photographers following the war captured some of these iconic images, which were widely reprinted in the United States. The Pentagon does not typically permit the publication of images of flag-draped coffins, but now the Battlefield Cross has come to be used as a poignant reminder of the cost of war. Although the Battlefield Cross itself is not an official military honor, it does play a part in the memorial ceremony as a visible reminder of the fallen soldier. Many unit commanders have recognized the value of the memorial, encouraging members of their units to pay their respects to fallen comrades and sometimes holding ceremonies at the site of a Battle Cross memorial. The helmet and identification tags signify the fallen soldier, their name never to be forgotten. The inverted rifle with bayonet signals a time for prayer, a break in the action to pay tribute to our friend. The combat boots, worn and dirty, represents the final march of the soldier’s last battle. After a set period of time, the memorial is respectfully dismantled, with the components being returned to the unit for appropriate disposition.
Mission: Our mission is to recognize, honor and pay tribute to the Warriors who have given their life on a foreign battlefield since September 11, 2001.
