Subscribe
Fort Irwin, Calif.—To recognize and honor all of those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to this great nation, the National Training Center (NTC) and Fort Irwin community held its annual Memorial Day Commemoration on Monday, 31 May.
The traditional commemoration began with an invocation, remarks by the Commanding General, patriotic music, and a 21 gun salute.
“This day, first observed after the Civil War, was originally known as Decoration Day and was intended to unify a divided country,” said Brig. Gen. Curtis D. Taylor, Commanding General of the National Training Center and Fort Irwin.
“When many of us were kids, Memorial Day was a time to remember history and those who made it. Today, Memorial Day is much more real. After nearly 20 years of continuous armed conflict, we no longer have the luxury of remembering only those who died long ago. Today, those heroes include our friends, our battle buddies, and men and women with whom we served and fought and loved,” said Taylor.
Taylor recounted a story and paid tribute to his personal hero, Staff Sgt. Billy Wilson of Buffalo, NY, with whom he served many years ago in combat. Wilson was killed on March 26, 2012 in Afghanistan. “When Billy fell, he was standing side-by-side with the men of his platoon that he loved so much, doing what he had joined the Army to do. “He fell in the disciplined and courageous execution of his duty,” said Taylor.
“Our nation must never forget what he has done for us; not only how he died but how he lived. Absolutely selfless – committed to his family, his squad and his country. We would all do well to follow his tremendous example,” said Taylor.
When asked of the day’s significance, the NTC and Fort Irwin Senior Enlisted Advisor, Command. Sgt. Maj. William A. Justice mentioned the mission of the NTC and the Decisive Action rotation that just began. Memorial Day is certainly significant, but “even more so when you consider that we have a Brigade Combat Team (BCT) on the ground who begins their training here today. Our [NTC’s] mission is to build and sustain readiness for our Army. Our success provides the tools needed for a BCT to win the first fight; and that saves lives,” said Justice.
Wolf Team, Operations Group provided the salute battery. The flag at the National Training Center’s headquarters was raised to full staff at 1200 hours following the 21 gun salute.
| Date Taken: | 06.01.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 06.08.2021 11:21 |
| Story ID: | 397896 |
| Location: | FORT IRWIN, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Hometown: | FORT IRWIN, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 33 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, National Training Center and Fort Irwin Memorial Day Commemoration, by Donald Ross, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
