TORUN, Poland -- The 18th Combat Sustainment Support Bn., 16th Sustainment Bde. guidon bearers stand at attention during the LSA Warhammer Memorial Day Ceremony May 30. (Photo by 2nd Lt. Margaret Johnston, 18th Combat Sustainment Support Bn., 16th Su...
TORUN, Poland -- The 18th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 16th Sustainment Brigade, held a Memorial Day ceremony during Anakonda 2016 the morning of May 30, 2016.
Hosted by Chaplain (Capt.) Andrew Calvert, the ceremony gave Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 240th Quartermaster Supply Company, and 515th Transportation Company a moment to honor the Soldiers who fought before them.
"Memorial Day is one of the most powerful days for our veterans as they remember the loss of a comrade in arms," said Chaplain Calvert. "The importance of this day is the sacrifice of those who've laid down their lives for our nation to enable us to have the freedoms we enjoy."
The ceremony included the National Anthem, sung by 1st Lt. Adrienn Halland, the 18th CSSB Adjutant, an excerpt from the Gettysburg Address, a speech from the battalion commander, and the playing of taps.
"It's important to reflect on those we know personally who died in combat," said Sgt. 1st Class Clinton Bivins, a water treatment supervisor. "Those brothers and sisters in uniform have shared the same trials and successes since our beginning over 200 years ago."
Following the ceremony, Soldiers gathered around the iconic battlefield cross display of boots, weapon, and helmet prior to returning to work.
"It's important that we remember those who've made the ultimate sacrifice," said Lt. Col. Robb Meert, 18th CSSB commander. "Many Soldiers in our formations have experienced the loss of brothers and sisters in arms so it's important we reflect on the sacrifices they made."
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