ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY, Va. – U.S. Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal Officers from the 55th Ordnance Company (EOD) paid tribute to fallen EOD heroes at Arlington National Cemetery, Aug. November.

Capt. Caroline C. Hamann, 55th EOD Company commander, and 1st Lt. Madison E. Faust, 55th EOD Company operations officer, placed flowers on the graves of fallen EOD heroes and placed a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

“We were assigned 30 graves and 30 flowers as a company, so we walked through sections 60-65 to find them and pay tribute to them,” Faust said. “The highlight of the visit was laying the wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in unison with Gold Star’s father, Marc Seidler.”

The 55th EOD Company “VIPpers” based at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, are part of the 192nd EOD Battalion, 52nd EOD Group and 20th Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosives Command. Explosives Ordnance (CBRNE), the U.S. Army’s primary deployable, multifunctional CBRNE formation.

From 19 bases in 16 states, Army Soldiers and civilians of the 20th CBRNE Command confront and defeat the world’s most dangerous hazards in support of joint, interagency and multinational operations.

The 55th EOD Company covers explosive response missions in most of Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, half of Pennsylvania, part of Washington DC, and part of West Virginia.

EOD companies support the U.S. Secret Service and the U.S. Department of State during Very Important Persons Protection Support Activity missions to provide protection to the President, First Lady, Vice President and visiting foreign heads of state.

Faust said the visit gave him the opportunity to take a break from the company’s busy schedule and remember those who gave their all in defense of the nation.

“Taking time to reflect on what we do and remembering those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice provides context, meaning and purpose,” Faust said. “We are grateful to have had the opportunity to participate in this event.”

Originally from Center Valley, Pennsylvania, Faust graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point.

Faust chose to serve as an EOD officer because of the technical competency and practical knowledge necessary to be successful in the lifesaving and mission enabling profession.

“I chose to be an EOD officer because the mission appealed to me,” Faust said. “I love that the EOD units are small and close-knit because they feel like a team.”

Faust said joint explosive ordnance disposal service technicians share a bonus service that comes from defusing dangerous explosive devices.

“From the moment we embark on the journey at the Naval EOD School, all branches of the service are united behind one mission,” Faust said. “After school, we all head in different directions to meet the demands of our assigned units. This event included EOD technicians from all services, reminding us of this shared unity and bond. EOD truly feels like a family and I feel blessed to be a member of it.”