ANSBACH, Germany (May 27, 2015) -- Soldiers, Family members, veterans and civilians honored their nation's fallen service members during the U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach and 12th Combat Aviation Brigade Memorial Day ceremony Thursday at Katterbach Kaserne's Memorial Park.
Officials from American Legion Post 1982 and Veterans of Foreign Wars posts 10708 and 9342 joined leaders from USAG Ansbach and the 12th CAB to pay tribute to all those who have died while serving in the U.S. armed forces.
Leaders from those five organizations rendered salutes to ceremonial floral wreaths for the occasion as a symbolic way to honor those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in defense of their nation and its values. The tradition of laying wreaths can be traced as far back as the 1800s when Memorial Day was known as Decoration Day, when people first practiced the custom of decorating service members' gravesites with flowers, flags and wreaths.
Before any of the ceremony's proceedings, members of the USAG Ansbach command team -- Col. Christopher M. Benson and Command Sgt. Maj. Mark A. Kiefer -- made a special presentation to retired Sgt. 1st Class Larry E. Painter.
Nearly 50 years after he was wounded during the Vietnam War, Painter was presented the Purple Heart.
"The lone decoration that singularly represents sacrifice is the Purple Heart," Benson said, before pinning Painter's overdue medal. "All other medals must be earned, but the Purple Heart is an entitlement for wounds sustained against an armed enemy of the United States.
"While serving in the Republic of South Vietnam, he, like so many others of his generation, left a part of himself on the battlefield," Benson continued. "So, it is my honor to finally correct the record after more than 47 years and recognize his sacrifice by presenting the Purple Heart to Sergeant First Class Retired Larry Painter."
"It was a great feeling today to see this happen," said Painter. "As the colonel said, it was a long time coming, but I'm glad it finally came."
The Memorial Day ceremony began as members of the Ansbach Middle High School's Junior ROTC color guard posted the colors, the German and American national anthems played, and Chaplain (Capt.) Richard Rivers of 2nd Battalion, 159th Aviation Regiment (Attack Reconnaissance), delivered the invocation.
Dale Nagan, Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Europe service officer, served as the event's guest speaker.
"This Memorial Day, we assemble once again and attempt to find fitting words to properly honor absent comrades," said Nagan. "We struggle to find the right words that appropriately convey the gratitude and appreciation for the gift of freedom they have given us. Each and every one of us holds a great debt to the courageous men and women who have paid the ultimate sacrifice while defending and protecting our way of life."
Nagan said that while giving back to America's fallen service members to the extent they deserve is impossible, "we humbly attempt to do so by way of remembrance."
"We gather as a nation, solemnly united in remembrance of the defenders of our great nation and also as a people recovering from war," Nagan said. "Though we mourn for what has been lost, like a phoenix from the ashes comes the strength to move forward and overcome."
Nagan recognized those near and far who have felt loss personally, saying "we stand united in our grief with the Families and friends who have lost loved ones in the line of duty."
Following Nagan's speech, Master Sgt. Christopher Buchanan, first vice commander of American Legion Post 1982, recited the poem "We Must Remember" by Rev. Connie Gibbs.
The ceremony ended as attendees rendered salutes and their respects during a playing of "Taps" and a retiring of the colors.
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