Photo By Tulara McCauley | Maj. Gen. Sean B. MacFarland, 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss commander, and Mary...... read more read more
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FORT BLISS, Texas – A community came together to pay homage to its heroes and the families they left behind.
Maj. Gen. Sean B. MacFarland, 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss commander, Command Sgt. Maj. Lance P. Lehr, 1st AD and Fort Bliss command sergeant major, and Lt. Col. Karen Meeker, 1st AD chaplain, hosted the Memorial Day ceremony at the National Cemetery, here, May 26.
More than 300 Soldiers and civilians showed up for the early morning ceremony at the foot of the Franklin Mountains. Veterans groups, Blue and Gold Star wives and mothers, dignitaries and high school students ringed the center of the cemetery.
The crowd spilled out into the symmetrical rows of head stones, some people standing near their fallen family member. Two World War II era aircraft circled over head, to the wonder of both adults and children.
The massing of the colors, by the Joint Task Force North Color Guard, was accompanied by patriotic numbers by the 1st AD band. Somber musical selections from “We Were Soldiers” were then played. The silence following the music was punctuated by the echoing report of the cannons as the salute batteries fired a 21 gun salute. Smoke from the guns billowed through the cemetery, hugging the sacred ground.
“It was an attempt for healing and closure for our nation that Memorial Day was born,” said MacFarland. “Healing and closure are difficult for those left behind. They bear the burden of loss for the rest of their lives and so we honor them too, at ceremonies such as these. It gives us hope through the knowledge that quiet heroes are among us just awaiting the moment when they will be called upon to put their courage into action.”
MacFarland expressed fresh grief when referring to a Fort Bliss Soldier who recently succumbed to injuries sustained in combat.
“It’s been just three days since we laid to rest Command Sgt. Maj. Martin R. Barreras, 2nd Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, of the 1st AD,” MacFarland said. “Command Sgt. Maj Barreras was not only willing to go where he sent his soldiers, but he led them there from the front. This is the essence of leadership by example.”
The commanding general’s remarks were followed by a powerful rendition of “The Last Full Measure of Devotion,” sung by Spc. Joseph Leveston.
MacFarland and Mary E. Vega, Fort Bliss National Cemetery administer, then emplaced the ceremonial wreath. Spc. Joshua Symborski, performed taps; the mournful notes shimmered through the air.
After the colors were retired, a group of Native American veterans invited the audience to witness a memorial tribute to those lost in battle. Using an eagle feather to disperse smoke of a burning incense of carbon and sage, the Eagle Claw Warrior Society purified the area. Retired Sgt. Jesus Padilla Sr., United States Marine Corps, knelt at the base of the ceremonial wreath to dig a hole. He delicately buried the ashes to symbolize that all living beings return to the ground.
A solitary hawk circled overhead, to the delight of the Native Americans.
| Date Taken: | 05.26.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 06.11.2014 17:01 |
| Story ID: | 132828 |
| Location: | FORT BLISS, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 146 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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