Memorial Day: more than a picnic

By Cheryl Rodewig, The BayonetJune 4, 2010

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FORT BENNING, Ga. - Stationed at Fort Benning with her husband COL(R) Jack Harron six times during his 30-year career, Jean has attended the Fort Benning Memorial Day service dozens of times. But this year's ceremony was more poignant than before.

"We just lost a grandson in Afghanistan in September," she said. "He was 24 years old. He had just gotten married. His wife was pregnant, and they had just had their baby girl in February who he never got to see. So I'm here in his memory as well. He was a true patriot."

Even if not for the loss of her grandson and the service of her husband, Jean said she would have attended the Memorial Day ceremony.

"It is the same heritage really," said Jean, who traces her heritage back to the Revolutionary War. "I can't imagine anybody not wanting to honor them. They certainly stand above the crowd because of their willingness to lay down their life for their fellow man.

"We tend to take it for granted. You see a lot of people today just go have a picnic or go out on a boat, and they won't give this a thought because they haven't had someone sacrifice their life for the country in their family. Once that happens, I think it changes your whole outlook. It brings it close to home."

During his Memorial Day message, addressed to more than 100 guests gathered at the Fort Benning cemetery, MG Michael Ferriter, post commanding general, remembered 13 Fort Benning Soldiers killed in action in the past year.

"It's so easy for us to take for granted and to worry about throwing the first pitch at a baseball game ... rather than to focus on the memorializing of our great Soldiers," he said. "It's fitting that we take this opportunity to honor the brave men and women who gave their lives in service of our great nation; it's also fitting that we take the opportunity to celebrate the freedoms we enjoy because of their brave sacrifice.

"Today, we renew our devotion to freedom for which our 13 and all the patriots buried here lived and died. We thank God for their courage. We are blessed to see more true heroes than most encounter in a lifetime."

Among the ceremony guests were veterans from every major American conflict since World War II.

MSG(R) Joseph Roy, a veteran of World War II, Korea and Vietnam who retired out of the 197th Infantry Brigade, said he attended the service to remember his friends who served with him.

"I entered service in March '43," he said. "I was a volunteer - I received my draft notice when I was involved in the Battle of the Bulge in Germany. Most of the people I fought with are buried overseas. (Attending the service) is just something I feel I should do ... just to remember."

"They gave their lives so we could live in freedom, and it's important to take time out from your ... everyday life (on) this is one special day," said LTG(R) Sam Wetzel, who honors the 17 Soldiers he lost from his battalion in the Korean and Vietnam wars and all service members who paid the ultimate sacrifice. "But remember the good times, not just the sad times."

Despite the loss of her grandson, Andrew Harron McConnell, caused by an IED explosion, Jean finds hope in what he left behind.

"His little daughter looks just like him," she said, "so we have a little piece of him in her. And she's got his spirit."