Photo By Staff Sgt. Mike Hagburg | Spc. James Mahala, Mesa, Ariz., played "Amazing Grace" on the bagpipes to help...... read more read more
CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo – Soldiers at Camp Bondsteel over Memorial Day weekend remembered those who have died serving the nation, including one of their own who passed away in February.
Sgt. Ashley Timian, Fargo, N.D., of Bravo Company, Multinational Battle Group East, presented a special tribute to Sgt. Terry Rishling, Belcourt, N.D., at a ceremony held, May 30. Rishling passed away Feb. 11 at Camp Bondsteel while deployed to Kosovo with Bravo Company.
"He was a man who cared about his family more than life itself," said Timian. She stressed that this included both his family back home and his military family.
Timian said that Rishling‟s dedication to duty and his "contagious laugh" were unforgettable and an inspiration to his fellow Soldiers.
"I know that we will keep Terry alive in our hearts forever," she said. "I am glad we have days like today where we can remember him again."
Capt. Anthony Williams, Mount Vernon, Ill., deputy command chaplain for MNBG E, gave the opening and closing prayers at the ceremony. 1st Lt. Gretchen McDonnell, Piedmont, Okla., was master of ceremonies for the event.
Brig. Gen. Al Dohrmann, Bismarck, N.D., MNBG E‟s commander, talked about the history and purpose of Memorial Day during his speech, while also recalling Rishling‟s dedication and service to his country.
"Let us appreciate our warriors who not only used their strength to defeat our enemies, but were also generous and compassionate custodians of liberty who helped rebuild countries, write constitutions and pave the way toward democracy," Dohrmann said. "They did not fight to conquer the world, but to liberate it."
Command Sgt. Maj. Jack Cripe, Dickinson, N.D., MNBG E's senior enlisted Soldier, reminded the audience that "it is the veteran" who has earned the freedoms we enjoy in the United States.
"World War II veterans are known as the "greatest generation," said Cripe. "The world‟s next greatest generations are amongst us today, those who have served since 9/11 and who are part of the one percent of Americans who wear the uniform."
Spc. James Mahala, Mesa, Ariz., played "Amazing Grace" on bagpipes to help conclude the ceremony. The audience also stood while "Taps" was played to honor the fallen.
| Date Taken: | 06.01.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 06.01.2010 05:14 |
| Story ID: | 50627 |
| Location: | CAMP BONDSTEEL, ZZ |
| Web Views: | 256 |
| Downloads: | 229 |
This work, US KFOR Soldiers pay tribute to the fallen, by SSG Mike Hagburg, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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