Photo By Staff Sgt. Jared Crain | Maj. Chunka Smith, the deputy chief of air missile defense with U.S. Central Command...... read more read more
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CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait - More than 300 coalition service members from U.S. Army Central and Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve took time to remember those who served before them in a Remembrance Day Ceremony, Nov. 11.
“Across the globe, it goes by different names. Originally called Armistice Day, it is also known as Remembrance Day, Poppy Day and Veterans Day,” said Australian Army Brigadier Craig Furini, the CJTF-OIR director of plans. “Regardless of its name, it is a time to pay our respects, express our gratitude and remember all Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen, regardless of nationality, that gave so much in war.”
Remembrance Day is observed on the11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in most countries to recall the end of hostilities of World War I.
“We pause here to remember, and in remembering... to honor, those from each nation who made the decision to serve, donned their nations colors and ultimately laid down their very lives to defend those things they held most dear," said Col. Bobby Whitlock, a chaplain with the CJTF-OIR.
It doesn’t matter what country service members are from, they stood up where others did not and vowed to defend the people they hold dear, added Whitlock.
Those in attendance have made the choice to serve their nation, but they were there to remember and celebrate their own heroes.
"It made me think of my grandfather and father who served in the military and how I wanted to continue the tradition by serving my county," said Pfc. Sean Averett, a radio operator with CJTF-OIR. "This was my first Remembrance Day ceremony as an Army Soldier and it was very surreal for me to experience this day of observance."
For Averett and other U.S. service members, the Remembrance Day ceremony gave them a chance to experience the way other nations celebrate their heroes.
Gathered service members joined Whitlock in a moment of silence before saluting during “The Last Post,” a British bugle call that commemorates those who have been killed in war.
“At this time not only should we reflect on those great warriors that went before us in the Great War and all wars since, but we should also pray for our fellow warriors in harm’s way and that they return home safe,” said Furini. “May all those who have gone before us be commemorated for their service and may their sacrifices be never forgotten.”
| Date Taken: | 11.14.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 11.14.2015 06:45 |
| Story ID: | 181964 |
| Location: | CAMP ARIFJAN, KW |
| Web Views: | 210 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Remembrance Day ceremony honors service, sacrifice, by SSG Jared Crain, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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