Fort Rucker honors nation’s fallen service members

“Those that have gone before us are the shoulders that we stand on,” said Maj. Gen. David Francis. “The legacy of their service continues to teach and inspire us and to form our future.”

Francis is the United States Army Aviation Center of Excellence and Fort Rucker Commanding General. He was among the military and civilian leaders from the Wiregrass who gathered to honor the nation’s fallen service members during a Memorial Day Service held May 27.

“My hope is that we all take a moment to remember the sacred link we have with the generations of service members who wore the uniform across all wars and conflicts who selflessly served our country and paid the ultimate sacrifice,” Francis said. “Memorial Day is a day of national awareness and solemn remembrance, a day for us to honor the fallen military men and women who gave their lives in defense of this nation.

“Alabama has a rich history of honorable service to the nation, including the number of Medal of Honor recipients that hail from this state,” Francis said. “Time and again we are inspired by their stories and examples of these great warriors that sets a high standard for all of us.

“Ever since eight members of the Lexington Militia lost their lives in the Battle of the American Revolution, nearly 1.2 million service members have made the ultimate sacrifice and today we honor all of them,” Francis said. “This year as we commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War, we especially remember the more than 2 million Americans who served in uniform in Vietnam and Southeast Asia, including the 58,200 casualties.”

Loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage are the core Army values, Francis said. “These values continue to serve as a guide, providing a sense of unity to our military force. “In the Army we consider our greatest asset to be our people,” Francis said. “Our all-volunteer force is a credit to the Americans of all races and creeds and our common commitment to the defense and love of country that binds us together and unifies us.

“I would ask that you keep in your thoughts and prayers the many of our ranks who are currently deployed around the world serving our nation,” he added. “May God continue to bless this great nation, Above the Best.”