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Fallen CRO laid to rest

Guardian Angel Airmen perform memorial pushups following a funeral service for Capt. Mark Weber, July 9, 2018, at Arlington National Cemetery, Va. Weber, a 38th Rescue Squadron combat rescue officer and Texas native, was killed in an HH-60G Pave Hawk crash in Anbar Province, Iraq, March 15. Friends, family, and Guardian Angel Airmen traveled from across the U.S. to attend the ceremony and pay their final respects. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ryan Callaghan)

Guardian Angel Airmen perform memorial pushups following a funeral service for Capt. Mark Weber, July 9, 2018, at Arlington National Cemetery, Va. Weber, a 38th Rescue Squadron combat rescue officer and Texas native, was killed in an HH-60G Pave Hawk crash in Anbar Province, Iraq, March 15. Friends, family, and Guardian Angel Airmen traveled from across the U.S. to attend the ceremony and pay their final respects. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ryan Callaghan)

A U.S. Air Force Honor Guard ceremonial guardsman salutes Capt. Mark Weber’s casket during his funeral service, July 9, 2018, at Arlington National Cemetery, Va. Weber, a 38th Rescue Squadron combat rescue officer and Texas native, was killed in an HH-60G Pave Hawk crash in Anbar Province, Iraq, March 15. Friends, family, and Guardian Angel Airmen traveled from across the U.S. to attend the ceremony and pay their final respects. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ryan Callaghan)

A U.S. Air Force Honor Guard ceremonial guardsman salutes Capt. Mark Weber’s casket during his funeral service, July 9, 2018, at Arlington National Cemetery, Va. Weber, a 38th Rescue Squadron combat rescue officer and Texas native, was killed in an HH-60G Pave Hawk crash in Anbar Province, Iraq, March 15. Friends, family, and Guardian Angel Airmen traveled from across the U.S. to attend the ceremony and pay their final respects. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ryan Callaghan)

Members of the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard prepare to fold the flag above Capt. Mark Weber’s casket during his funeral service, July 9, 2018, at Arlington National Cemetery, Va. Weber, a 38th Rescue Squadron combat rescue officer and Texas native, was killed in an HH-60G Pave Hawk crash in Anbar Province, Iraq, March 15. Friends, family, and Guardian Angel Airmen traveled from across the U.S. to attend the ceremony and pay their final respects. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ryan Callaghan)

Members of the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard prepare to fold the flag above Capt. Mark Weber’s casket during his funeral service, July 9, 2018, at Arlington National Cemetery, Va. Weber, a 38th Rescue Squadron combat rescue officer and Texas native, was killed in an HH-60G Pave Hawk crash in Anbar Province, Iraq, March 15. Friends, family, and Guardian Angel Airmen traveled from across the U.S. to attend the ceremony and pay their final respects. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ryan Callaghan)

A firing-party from the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard stand ready during a funeral service for Capt. Mark Weber, July 9, 2018, at Arlington National Cemetery, Va. Weber, a 38th Rescue Squadron combat rescue officer and Texas native, was killed in an HH-60G Pave Hawk crash in Anbar Province, Iraq, March 15. Friends, family, and Guardian Angel Airmen traveled from across the U.S. to attend the ceremony and pay their final respects. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ryan Callaghan)

A firing-party from the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard stand ready during a funeral service for Capt. Mark Weber, July 9, 2018, at Arlington National Cemetery, Va. Weber, a 38th Rescue Squadron combat rescue officer and Texas native, was killed in an HH-60G Pave Hawk crash in Anbar Province, Iraq, March 15. Friends, family, and Guardian Angel Airmen traveled from across the U.S. to attend the ceremony and pay their final respects. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ryan Callaghan)

A U.S. Air Force Honor Guard ceremonial guardsman stands in formation during a funeral service for Capt. Mark Weber, July 9, 2018, at Arlington National Cemetery, Va. Weber, a 38th Rescue Squadron combat rescue officer and Texas native, was killed in an HH-60G Pave Hawk crash in Anbar Province, Iraq, March 15. Friends, family, and Guardian Angel Airmen traveled from across the U.S. to attend the ceremony and pay their final respects. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ryan Callaghan)

A U.S. Air Force Honor Guard ceremonial guardsman stands in formation during a funeral service for Capt. Mark Weber, July 9, 2018, at Arlington National Cemetery, Va. Weber, a 38th Rescue Squadron combat rescue officer and Texas native, was killed in an HH-60G Pave Hawk crash in Anbar Province, Iraq, March 15. Friends, family, and Guardian Angel Airmen traveled from across the U.S. to attend the ceremony and pay their final respects. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ryan Callaghan)

Members of the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard carry Capt. Mark Weber’s casket during his funeral service, July 9, 2018, at Arlington National Cemetery, Va. Weber, a 38th Rescue Squadron combat rescue officer and Texas native, was killed in an HH-60G Pave Hawk crash in Anbar Province, Iraq, March 15. Friends, family, and Guardian Angel Airmen traveled from across the U.S. to attend the ceremony and pay their final respects. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ryan Callaghan)

Members of the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard carry Capt. Mark Weber’s casket during his funeral service, July 9, 2018, at Arlington National Cemetery, Va. Weber, a 38th Rescue Squadron combat rescue officer and Texas native, was killed in an HH-60G Pave Hawk crash in Anbar Province, Iraq, March 15. Friends, family, and Guardian Angel Airmen traveled from across the U.S. to attend the ceremony and pay their final respects. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ryan Callaghan)

Pararescuemen pound their beret flashes into Capt. Mark Weber’s casket during his funeral service, July 9, 2018, at Arlington National Cemetery, Va. Weber, a 38th Rescue Squadron combat rescue officer and Texas native, was killed in an HH-60G Pave Hawk crash in Anbar Province, Iraq, March 15. Friends, family, and Guardian Angel Airmen traveled from across the U.S. to attend the ceremony and pay their final respects. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ryan Callaghan)

Pararescuemen pound their beret flashes into Capt. Mark Weber’s casket during his funeral service, July 9, 2018, at Arlington National Cemetery, Va. Weber, a 38th Rescue Squadron combat rescue officer and Texas native, was killed in an HH-60G Pave Hawk crash in Anbar Province, Iraq, March 15. Friends, family, and Guardian Angel Airmen traveled from across the U.S. to attend the ceremony and pay their final respects. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ryan Callaghan)

A combat rescue officer from the 103d Rescue Squadron salutes Capt. Mark Weber’s casket during his funeral service, July 9, 2018, at Arlington National Cemetery, Va. Weber, a 38th Rescue Squadron combat rescue officer and Texas native, was killed in an HH-60G Pave Hawk crash in Anbar Province, Iraq, March 15. Friends, family, and Guardian Angel Airmen traveled from across the U.S. to attend the ceremony and pay their final respects. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ryan Callaghan)

A combat rescue officer from the 103d Rescue Squadron salutes Capt. Mark Weber’s casket during his funeral service, July 9, 2018, at Arlington National Cemetery, Va. Weber, a 38th Rescue Squadron combat rescue officer and Texas native, was killed in an HH-60G Pave Hawk crash in Anbar Province, Iraq, March 15. Friends, family, and Guardian Angel Airmen traveled from across the U.S. to attend the ceremony and pay their final respects. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ryan Callaghan)

Maj. Jason Egger, 38th Rescue Squadron commander, presents a folded flag to the family of Capt. Mark Weber during his funeral service, July 9, 2018, at Arlington National Cemetery, Va. Weber, a 38th RQS combat rescue officer and Texas native, was killed in an HH-60G Pave Hawk crash in Anbar Province, Iraq, March 15. Friends, family, and Guardian Angel Airmen traveled from across the U.S. to attend the ceremony and pay their final respects. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ryan Callaghan)

Maj. Jason Egger, 38th Rescue Squadron commander, presents a folded flag to the family of Capt. Mark Weber during his funeral service, July 9, 2018, at Arlington National Cemetery, Va. Weber, a 38th RQS combat rescue officer and Texas native, was killed in an HH-60G Pave Hawk crash in Anbar Province, Iraq, March 15. Friends, family, and Guardian Angel Airmen traveled from across the U.S. to attend the ceremony and pay their final respects. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ryan Callaghan)

Maj. Jason Egger, 38th Rescue Squadron commander, carries a folded flag during a funeral service for Capt. Mark Weber, July 9, 2018, at Arlington National Cemetery, Va. Weber, a 38th RQS combat rescue officer and Texas native, was killed in an HH-60G Pave Hawk crash in Anbar Province, Iraq, March 15. Friends, family, and Guardian Angel Airmen traveled from across the U.S. to attend the ceremony and pay their final respects. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ryan Callaghan)
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Maj. Jason Egger, 38th Rescue Squadron commander, carries a folded flag during a funeral service for Capt. Mark Weber, July 9, 2018, at Arlington National Cemetery, Va. Weber, a 38th RQS combat rescue officer and Texas native, was killed in an HH-60G Pave Hawk crash in Anbar Province, Iraq, March 15. Friends, family, and Guardian Angel Airmen traveled from across the U.S. to attend the ceremony and pay their final respects. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ryan Callaghan)

Friends and family of Capt. Mark Weber watch as his casket is transferred to a horse-led caisson during his funeral service, July 9, 2018, at Arlington National Cemetery, Va. Weber, a 38th Rescue Squadron combat rescue officer and Texas native, was killed in an HH-60G Pave Hawk crash in Anbar Province, Iraq, March 15. Friends, family, and Guardian Angel Airmen traveled from across the U.S. to attend the ceremony and pay their final respects. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ryan Callaghan)
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Friends and family of Capt. Mark Weber watch as his casket is transferred to a horse-led caisson during his funeral service, July 9, 2018, at Arlington National Cemetery, Va. Weber, a 38th Rescue Squadron combat rescue officer and Texas native, was killed in an HH-60G Pave Hawk crash in Anbar Province, Iraq, March 15. Friends, family, and Guardian Angel Airmen traveled from across the U.S. to attend the ceremony and pay their final respects. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ryan Callaghan)

A horse-led caisson escorts the casket of Capt. Mark Weber during his funeral service, July 9, 2018, at Arlington National Cemetery, Va. Weber, a 38th Rescue Squadron combat rescue officer and Texas native, was killed in an HH-60G Pave Hawk crash in Anbar Province, Iraq, March 15. Friends, family, and Guardian Angel Airmen traveled from across the U.S. to attend the ceremony and pay their final respects. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ryan Callaghan)
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A horse-led caisson escorts the casket of Capt. Mark Weber during his funeral service, July 9, 2018, at Arlington National Cemetery, Va. Weber, a 38th Rescue Squadron combat rescue officer and Texas native, was killed in an HH-60G Pave Hawk crash in Anbar Province, Iraq, March 15. Friends, family, and Guardian Angel Airmen traveled from across the U.S. to attend the ceremony and pay their final respects. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ryan Callaghan)

ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY, Va. --

Friends, family and fellow Guardian Angels gathered on the grounds of Arlington National Cemetery, Va., to pay their final respects and honor the life of Capt. Mark Weber as he was laid to rest, July 9.

Weber, a combat rescue officer from the 38th Rescue Squadron, was killed in a helicopter crash in Anbar Province, Iraq, March 15, while augmenting the 308th RQS in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.

“Mark has become part of the storied legacy of combat rescue officers and pararescuemen who paid the ultimate sacrifice,” said Maj. Jason Egger, 38th Rescue Squadron commander. “It is now up to us who continue to wear the beret, to honor that sacrifice and to understand that our words and our actions carry the full weight of our fallen comrades. We should strive to ensure that we never fall short of the standard of excellence and honor defined by those who have gone before us.”

During the service, a funeral procession including a horse-led caisson, band and the Air Force Honor Guard escorted Weber’s casket to its final resting place where a military chaplain recounted stories shared by Weber’s teammates.

One such teammate was Senior Airman Daniel, a 38th RQS pararescueman, who worked closely with Weber during training.

“Capt. Weber was forever focused on the men under his command,” Daniel said. “In the pool, he would help the last team member across before surfacing for his own breath. On a ruck, I watched him carry a teammate whose body had quit. When the team screwed up, it was Capt. Weber who shouldered the responsibility. I never saw him tired and I never saw him afraid – not because he didn’t feel pain or experience fear, but he placed his duty before his own personal desires and comforts.”

Following the remarks, the service concluded with time-honored military traditions including a seven-man firing party and two traditions from the rescue community: memorial pushups and pounding beret flashes into the top of the casket.

“It’s apparent to everyone that you cannot replace someone of the caliber of Mark Weber,” said Egger. “Instead, it is now left to us to carry his memory forward and pay tribute to him and live up to his truly exceptional example.”

 

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