FORT RUCKER, Ala. -- Soldiers, veterans and civilians gathered at Veterans Park here May 31 during the post's annual Memorial Day observance to honor those who gave their lives in service to the country.
Col. Mark Jones, Warrant Officer Career College commandant, spoke to attendees about the reasons for celebrating the service of those who didn't come home.
"We need to remember what it has cost to build and defend this land," Jones said. "Those individuals who gave their lives, made the ultimate sacrifice for our forbearers who built and secured our republic, for us here today living free, and for our children and all future generations."
Those who have always lived in freedom may not realize just how high the price can be, he added. But, when the time comes, the younger generation is called to serve time and again.
"As we get older, we begin to realize the good things in life are not accidents," he said. "Though the desire for it beats in every human heart, freedom is the exception in this world, rather than the rule. But, freedom calls our young people back to make the sacrifices required to live on freedoms hill."
Since Sept. 11, 2001, 5,462 Americans have died serving in Afghanistan and Iraq, he said. A strong example has been set by these men and women for the future generations of Soldiers.
"Why do young (people) continue to join the military' They certainly don't have to," Jones said. "They sign up because they love their country and their countrymen, and they want to be part of something bigger than themselves."
Rep. Bobby Bright, D-Ala., also attended and spoke about what the ceremony meant to him.
"It's wonderful to be on a military installation like Fort Rucker," he said. "We take a moment today to remember those who've made the ultimate sacrifice to protect us, not just today, but for generations to come."
Veterans of many different conflicts attended to honor both friends and fellow Soldiers. It was an opportunity for them to come together and remember those lost in the line of duty.
"It's the veterans who have given us all the freedoms we enjoy," Brad Teppenpaw, fundraiser for the Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 41 from Covington County, and a former corporal in the Marines, said. He served from 1977 to 1979 and deployed to Iran.
"It's an honor to be here at Fort Rucker to celebrate all they've done for us and all the current Soldiers are continuing to do," he said.
Jimmie Cooper, commander of D.A.V.'s Chapter 41, was proud to serve the U.S. Army as a sergeant from 1969 to 1976 in Vietnam and again in 1991 during the Persian Gulf War.
"I believe in what we're doing and I was proud to serve my country," he said. "Every Soldier is doing a job that has to be done in order to keep this country safe."
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