Before the sun rose over Arlington National Cemetery April 5, thousands gathered inside Memorial Amphitheater for the National Capital Region's annual Easter Sunrise Service hosted by Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Commander Col. Michael D. Henderson.
The nondenominational event featured religious music performed by The U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own," and The U.S. Army Band and Chorus.
"As we gather on this resurrection morning, I ask you to join me in remembering all of our military service members who are deployed today in harm's way and those who offered their lives in the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our great nation," said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Lawrence Dabeck, JBM-HH chaplain, in his welcoming remarks.
Dabeck added that the sacrifices made by military families would also never be forgotten.
"We remember particularly those families grieving the loss of a fallen warrior. Because of the service and sacrifice of so many, we enjoy this extraordinary opportunity to worship in freedom in this beautiful and sacred place," he said.
Dabeck also said the primary purpose of the gathering "is to celebrate the service and sacrifice of the One who died that all may live."
Following readings from the Book of Isaiah and the Gospel according to Mark, U.S. Air Force Chap. Maj. Gen. Howard Stendahl, chief of chaplains for the Air Force, told attendees they were celebrating their shared faith.
"We have this faith in many forms around the world," he said. "We are billions of people who celebrate the resurrection of Jesus."
He called the celebration of the resurrection at Arlington National Cemetery "extraordinary" because it was being held "amidst the heroes of American history who have been laid to rest all around us in this hallowed ground."
Stendahl also said that while recent television documentaries have attempted to either prove or disprove the resurrection based upon science, for him and other followers of Christ, scientific proof is not necessary.
The following leaders and their guests attended the sunrise service: Gen. Daniel B. Allyn, vice chief of staff of the U.S. Army, Lt. Gen. David D. Halverson, commander, U.S. Installation Management Command and assistant chief of staff for Installation Management; the Honorable Katherine Hammack, assistant secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy and Environment; and Maj. Gen. Jeffrey S. Buchanan, commanding general, Joint Force Headquarters -- National Capital Region and the U.S. Army Military District of Washington. JBM-HH staff members included Henderson, JBM-HH Deputy Commander Marine Corps Lt. Col. John Orille and joint base Command Sgt. Maj. Randall E. Woods.
Among those gathered at the service were Bill and Heather Cartwright of Arlington, Va. The couple said that over the course of several years they have made attending the Easter Sunrise Service at ANC a tradition.
"The service is so uplifting," said Heather. "You see people from different denominations coming together to share their faith."
"It's a great way, the only way, to get Easter started, by coming here," added Bill.
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