Rucker honors fallen comrades

The laying of a wreath followed by a rendition of “Taps” in honor of fallen comrades was part of the Memorial Day Ceremony held Friday, May 28, on Fort Rucker.

Active duty military members, civilian community leaders and elected officials joined representatives of veterans’ service organizations and Gold Star family members in the ceremony held in the memorial garden in front of the Army Aviation Museum on post.

“Our nation exists today because, throughout our history, men and women have given their lives to defend the ideals contained within our constitution so that we can can continue the goal of forming a more perfect union,” said Maj. Gen. David Francis.

Francis is the commanding general, United States Army Aviation Center of Excellence and Fort Rucker, He was joined by Chief Warrant Officer 5 Michael L. Lewis Jr., chief warrant officer, Aviation Branch; and Command Sgt. Maj. James D. Wilson, command sergeant major, Aviation Branch, in laying the memorial wreath.

“The fallen we honor today, from the birth of this nation until now, have continuously given us the opportunity to have the chance to strive towards the aspiration and goals set forth by our forefathers that have made this the greatest nation on earth.”

Francis recognized and thanked the Gold Star families in attendance. “As we stop and honor the men and women who gave their lives in defense of this nation, those who gave their all to preserve the values and freedoms that we hold dear, we honor those they left behind—the beloved Gold Star families,” he said. “We’re very fortunate here in the Wiregrass for our local veterans’ groups, community leaders and governmental officials who value the service and sacrifice of our fallen and their families.

“We stand here today in the presence of nine Gold Star families to honor their fallen, offer our condolence and to ensure that they know that we will never forget,” Francis said. “But in the end, words are inadequate to this task.

“If words cannot repay the debt we owe these men, surely with our actions we must strive to keep faith with them and with the vision that led them to battle and to final sacrifice,” Francis said, quoting former President Ronald Reagan. “The best way we can honor our fallen is to continue the mission and continue the task of passing on the legacy of these heroes to our children and grandchildren.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, we stand here today in this great nation—a free nation—because of those who gave their lives for the sake of future generations,” Francis said. “May God bless our fallen heroes, our Gold Star families and may God bless our great nation.”