FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. –“I serve with the memory and pride of those who have gone before me, for they loved to fight, fought to win, and would rather die than quit.”
This is the last line in the Night Stalker Creed. These are words that the Solders of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) live by every day.
This was reminded to the hundreds of Soldiers, civilians, distinguished guests, and families in attendance at the Remembrance of Fallen Night Stalkers ceremony held outside the regiment headquarters in front of the memorial wall during 2015 Week of Night Stalker Activities (WONSA).
Col. Michael Hertzendorf, the regiment commander of the 160th SOAR (A), reminded the crowd that on that day, they will reflect on the 94 names of the fallen and acknowledge the legacy of their supreme professionalism and sacrifice.
WONSA is an annual event that reunites former and current Soldiers, families, and friends of the 160th to celebrate and remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice, enjoy fellowship, come together as a family.
The week officially kicked off May 16 with a Memorial Ride by former and current members of the Regiment and their families to Veterans Memorial Park in Hopkinsville, Ky. The ride was followed by a concert and picnic sponsored by the Night Stalker Association (NSA).
This year’s WONSA included the Memorial Ceremony, Families of Fallen Night Stalkers (FFNS) roundtable discussion and social, a walk with the children of the FFNS down the Night Stalker Remembrance Trail, Modern Army Combatives Tournament, and an awards ceremony and luncheon hosted by the NSA.
The week of events culminated with the Regimental Formal held the evening of May 21 in Hopkinsville and the NSA sponsored Golf Scramble on May 23.
WONSA is a reunion and a time to welcome those families of fallen Night Stalkers and share the memory of their sacrifice. It is an opportunity, for some, to take a short break from the high operational tempo of the unit and participate in activities alongside their Night Stalker brothers and sisters.
“WONSA reminds us where we came from, and why we do what we do,” said Staff Sgt. Brandon Burns, regiment operations noncommissioned officer.
“There are a lot of fun, family oriented activities during held throughout the week, but the main reason we hold this event every year is to remember our fallen brethren and honor their sacrifice and memory.”
Date Taken: | 05.21.2015 |
Date Posted: | 06.01.2015 16:26 |
Story ID: | 165139 |
Location: | FORT CAMPBELL, KENTUCKY, US |
Web Views: | 518 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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