Homecoming Memorial Service

From USAFA Folklore

The Homecoming Memorial Service is held annually on the Terrazzo. During a wing-wide formation, a list of the names of the graduates who have passed away that year is read. After each name, a cadet from within that graduate's former squadron responds with "Absent, Sir/Ma'am." After the list is completed, Taps is played, a rifle salute is fired, and there is often a missing-man formation flyover.

The first Homecoming Memorial Service was held on 10 October 1970. During that homecoming, the Association of Graduates presented the War Memorial to the Air Force Academy Cadet Wing. The initial ceremony consisted of reading the name of the deceased graduate and his class and by having a selected member of his class respond, "Absent, Sir."