"Say my baby's name" Wilmington Armed Forces Reserve Center memorialized in honor of local Soldier

By Sgt. 1st Class Joel QuebecJuly 24, 2013

"Say my baby's name" Wilmington Armed Forces Reserve Center memorialized in honor of local Soldier
1 / 37 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Mr. Thomas J. Butler III sits with his grandson, Thomas J. Butler V during the ceremony that memorialized the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Wilmington, N.C. after his son and the fourth T.J. Butler. Sgt. Butler was killed in Khost, Aghanistan on Oct... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
"Say my baby's name" Wilmington Armed Forces Reserve Center memorialized in honor of local Soldier
2 / 37 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Mr. Thomas J. Butler III sits with his grandson, Thomas J. Butler V during the ceremony that memorialized the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Wilmington, N.C. after his son and the fourth T.J. Butler. Sgt. Butler was killed in Khost, Aghanistan on Oct... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
"Say my baby's name" Wilmington Armed Forces Reserve Center memorialized in honor of local Soldier
3 / 37 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Maj. Gill Beck, commanding general of the 81st Regional Support Command. speaks during the memorialization ceremony for the newly renamed Sgt. Thomas J. (T.J.) Butler IV Armed Forces Reserve Center in Wilmington, N.C. on July 13. Butler was killed in... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
"Say my baby's name" Wilmington Armed Forces Reserve Center memorialized in honor of local Soldier
4 / 37 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Congressman Mike McIntyre of North Carolina's 7th District presents a congressional proclamation to Mrs. Holly Butler during the memorialization ceremony for the newly renamed Sgt. Thomas J. (T.J.) Butler IV Armed Forces Reserve Center in Wilmington,... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
"Say my baby's name" Wilmington Armed Forces Reserve Center memorialized in honor of local Soldier
5 / 37 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Congressman Mike McIntyre of North Carolina's 7th District presents a congressional proclamation to facility commander Capt. Christopher McKinnon during the memorialization ceremony for the newly renamed Sgt. Thomas J. (T.J.) Butler IV Armed Forces R... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
"Say my baby's name" Wilmington Armed Forces Reserve Center memorialized in honor of local Soldier
6 / 37 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Staff Sgt. Ty Braxton speaks during the memorialization ceremony for the newly renamed Sgt. Thomas J. (T.J.) Butler IV Armed Forces Reserve Center in Wilmington, N.C. on July 13. Butler was killed in action on October 1, 2012 in Khost Afghanistan whi... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
"Say my baby's name" Wilmington Armed Forces Reserve Center memorialized in honor of local Soldier
7 / 37 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Family members of Sgt. Thomas J. (T.J.) Butler IV during the ceremony that memorialized the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Wilmington, N.C. after the son, husband, father and fourth T.J. Butler. on the far left, is Thomas J. Butler III. His grandosn,... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
"Say my baby's name" Wilmington Armed Forces Reserve Center memorialized in honor of local Soldier
8 / 37 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Mrs. Leslie Butler, the mother of the honoree, speaks during the memorialization ceremony for the newly renamed Sgt. Thomas J. (T.J.) Butler IV Armed Forces Reserve Center in Wilmington, N.C. on July 13. Butler was killed in action on October 1, 2012... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
"Say my baby's name" Wilmington Armed Forces Reserve Center memorialized in honor of local Soldier
9 / 37 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Mrs. Leslie Butler, the mother of the honoree, embraces her daughter-in-law after her speech during the memorialization ceremony for the newly renamed Sgt. Thomas J. (T.J.) Butler IV Armed Forces Reserve Center in Wilmington, N.C. on July 13. Butler ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
"Say my baby's name" Wilmington Armed Forces Reserve Center memorialized in honor of local Soldier
10 / 37 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The plaque for the newly renamed Sgt. Thomas J. (T.J.) Butler IV Armed Forces Reserve Center is unveiled in Wilmington, N.C. on July 13. Assisting in the unveiling is, from left to right, Mrs. Holly Butler (widow), Mrs. Leslie Butler (mother), Maj. G... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
"Say my baby's name" Wilmington Armed Forces Reserve Center memorialized in honor of local Soldier
11 / 37 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The plaque for the newly renamed Sgt. Thomas J. (T.J.) Butler IV Armed Forces Reserve Center is unveiled in Wilmington, N.C. on July 13. Assisting in the unveiling is, from left to right, Mrs. Holly Butler (widow), Mrs. Leslie Butler (mother), Maj. G... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
"Say my baby's name" Wilmington Armed Forces Reserve Center memorialized in honor of local Soldier
12 / 37 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The plaque for the newly renamed Sgt. Thomas J. (T.J.) Butler IV Armed Forces Reserve Center is unveiled in Wilmington, N.C. on July 13. Assisting in the unveiling is, from left to right, Mrs. Holly Butler (widow), Mrs. Leslie Butler (mother), Maj. G... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
"Say my baby's name" Wilmington Armed Forces Reserve Center memorialized in honor of local Soldier
13 / 37 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Mrs. Leslie Butler, Sgt. T.J. Butler's mother, shakes hands with Maj. Gen. Gill Beck, commanding general of the 81st Regional Support Command after the ceremony dedicating and renaming the Wilmington facility the Thomas J. (T.J.) Butler IV Armed Forc... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
"Say my baby's name" Wilmington Armed Forces Reserve Center memorialized in honor of local Soldier
14 / 37 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Mrs. Leslie Butler, Sgt. T.J. Butler's mother, shakes hands with Maj. Gen. Greg Lusk, the Adjutant General of the N.C. National Guard after the ceremony dedicating and renaming the Wilmington facility the Thomas J. (T.J.) Butler IV Armed Forces Reser... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
"Say my baby's name" Wilmington Armed Forces Reserve Center memorialized in honor of local Soldier
15 / 37 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Mrs. Leslie Butler, Sgt. T.J. Butler's mother, speaks to the media after the ceremony dedicating and renaming the Wilmington facility the Thomas J. (T.J.) Butler IV Armed Forces Reserve center in his honor on July 13. Butler was killed in action in O... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
"Say my baby's name" Wilmington Armed Forces Reserve Center memorialized in honor of local Soldier
16 / 37 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Mrs. Leslie Butler, Sgt. T.J. Butler's mother, speaks to the media after the ceremony dedicating and renaming the Wilmington facility the Thomas J. (T.J.) Butler IV Armed Forces Reserve center in his honor on July 13. Butler was killed in action in O... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
"Say my baby's name" Wilmington Armed Forces Reserve Center memorialized in honor of local Soldier
17 / 37 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Mrs. Leslie Butler, Sgt. T.J. Butler's mother, holds a unit challenge coin as she speaks to the media after the ceremony dedicating and renaming the Wilmington facility the Thomas J. (T.J.) Butler IV Armed Forces Reserve center in his honor on July 1... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
"Say my baby's name" Wilmington Armed Forces Reserve Center memorialized in honor of local Soldier
18 / 37 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The Adjutant General of the North Carolina National Guard speaks during the memorialization ceremony for the newly renamed Sgt. Thomas J. (T.J.) Butler IV Armed Forces Reserve Center in Wilmington, N.C. on July 13. Butler was killed in action on Octo... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
"Say my baby's name" Wilmington Armed Forces Reserve Center memorialized in honor of local Soldier
19 / 37 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Congressman Mike McIntyre of North Carolina's 7th District presents a congressional proclamation to facility commander Capt. Christopher McKinnon during the memorialization ceremony for the newly renamed Sgt. Thomas J. (T.J.) Butler IV Armed Forces R... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
"Say my baby's name" Wilmington Armed Forces Reserve Center memorialized in honor of local Soldier
20 / 37 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Congressman Mike McIntyre of North Carolina's 7th District presents a commemorative congressional coin to Mrs. Holly Butler during the memorialization ceremony for the newly renamed Sgt. Thomas J. (T.J.) Butler IV Armed Forces Reserve Center in Wilmi... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
"Say my baby's name" Wilmington Armed Forces Reserve Center memorialized in honor of local Soldier
21 / 37 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Congressman Mike McIntyre of North Carolina's 7th District presents a congressional proclamation to Mrs. Holly Butler during the memorialization ceremony for the newly renamed Sgt. Thomas J. (T.J.) Butler IV Armed Forces Reserve Center in Wilmington,... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
"Say my baby's name" Wilmington Armed Forces Reserve Center memorialized in honor of local Soldier
22 / 37 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Family members of Sgt. Thomas J. (T.J.) Butler IV during the ceremony that memorialized the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Wilmington, N.C. after the son, husband, father and fourth T.J. Butler. On the far left, is Thomas J. Butler III. His grandosn,... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
"Say my baby's name" Wilmington Armed Forces Reserve Center memorialized in honor of local Soldier
23 / 37 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Maj. Gill Beck, commanding general of the 81st Regional Support Command. speaks during the memorialization ceremony for the newly renamed Sgt. Thomas J. (T.J.) Butler IV Armed Forces Reserve Center in Wilmington, N.C. on July 13. Butler was killed in... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
"Say my baby's name" Wilmington Armed Forces Reserve Center memorialized in honor of local Soldier
24 / 37 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Congressman Mike McIntyre of North Carolina's 7th District reads a congressional proclamation during the memorialization ceremony for the newly renamed Sgt. Thomas J. (T.J.) Butler IV Armed Forces Reserve Center in Wilmington, N.C. on July 13. Butler... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
"Say my baby's name" Wilmington Armed Forces Reserve Center memorialized in honor of local Soldier
25 / 37 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Spc. LeAndra Oxendine, a Soldier with the North Carolina Army National Guard's 514th Military Police Company during the emotional memorialization ceremony for the newly renamed Sgt. Thomas J. (T.J.) Butler IV Armed Forces Reserve Center in Wilmington... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
"Say my baby's name" Wilmington Armed Forces Reserve Center memorialized in honor of local Soldier
26 / 37 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Mrs. Leslie Butler, the mother of the honoree, speaks during the memorialization ceremony for the newly renamed Sgt. Thomas J. (T.J.) Butler IV Armed Forces Reserve Center in Wilmington, N.C. on July 13. Butler was killed in action on October 1, 2012... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
"Say my baby's name" Wilmington Armed Forces Reserve Center memorialized in honor of local Soldier
27 / 37 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Over 300 family, friends, Soldiers and community members gathered to memorialize and rename the Wilmington, N.C. facility the Sgt. Thomas J. (T.J.) Butler IV Armed Forces Reserve Center in honor Sgt. Thomas J. Butler IV on July 13, 2013. Butler was k... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
"Say my baby's name" Wilmington Armed Forces Reserve Center memorialized in honor of local Soldier
28 / 37 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Mr. Thomas J. Butler III sits with his daughter-in-law, Holly Butler, during the ceremony that memorialized the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Wilmington, N.C. after the son, husband, father and fourth T.J. Butler. Sgt. Butler was killed in Khost, Ag... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
"Say my baby's name" Wilmington Armed Forces Reserve Center memorialized in honor of local Soldier
29 / 37 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Ms. Robin van Houten, aunt to the honoree, makes an emotional speech during the memorialization ceremony for the newly renamed Sgt. Thomas J. (T.J.) Butler IV Armed Forces Reserve Center in Wilmington, N.C. on July 13. Sgt. Butler was killed on Octob... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
"Say my baby's name" Wilmington Armed Forces Reserve Center memorialized in honor of local Soldier
30 / 37 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Mr. Thomas J. Butler III sits with his daughter-in-law, Holly Butler, during the ceremony that memorialized the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Wilmington, N.C. after the son, husband, father and fourth T.J. Butler. Sgt. Butler was killed in Khost, Ag... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
"Say my baby's name" Wilmington Armed Forces Reserve Center memorialized in honor of local Soldier
31 / 37 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Over 300 family, friends, Soldiers and community members gathered to memorialize and rename the Wilmington, N.C. facility the Sgt. Thomas J. (T.J.) Butler IV Armed Forces Reserve Center in honor Sgt. Thomas J. Butler IV on July 13, 2013. Butler was k... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
"Say my baby's name" Wilmington Armed Forces Reserve Center memorialized in honor of local Soldier
32 / 37 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Mr. Thomas J. Butler III sits with his daughter-in-law, Holly Butler, and grandson, Thomas J. Butler V during the ceremony that memorialized the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Wilmington, N.C. after the son, husband, father and fourth T.J. Butler. Sg... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
"Say my baby's name" Wilmington Armed Forces Reserve Center memorialized in honor of local Soldier
33 / 37 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Over 300 family, friends, Soldiers and community members gathered to memorialize and rename the Wilmington, N.C. facility the Sgt. Thomas J. (T.J.) Butler IV Armed Forces Reserve Center in honor Sgt. Thomas J. Butler IV on July 13, 2013. Butler was k... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
"Say my baby's name" Wilmington Armed Forces Reserve Center memorialized in honor of local Soldier
34 / 37 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Sgt. Kyle Snyder of the 514th Military Police Company, speaks during the memorialization ceremony for the Sgt. Thomas J. (T.J.) Butler IV Armed Forces Reserve Center in Wilmington, N.C. on July 13. Sgt. Butler was killed in Khost City, Afghanistan on... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
"Say my baby's name" Wilmington Armed Forces Reserve Center memorialized in honor of local Soldier
35 / 37 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Friends, family, Soldiers and supporters take pictures of the memorabilia after the memorialization ceremony for the Sgt. Thomas J. (T.J.) Butler IV Armed Forces Reserve Center on July 13 in Wilmington, N.C. Sgt. Butler was killed in Khost City, Afgh... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
"Say my baby's name" Wilmington Armed Forces Reserve Center memorialized in honor of local Soldier
36 / 37 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Mrs. Leslie Butler, Sgt. T.J. Butler's mother, speaks to the media after the ceremony dedicating and renaming the Wilmington facility the Thomas J. (T.J.) Butler IV Armed Forces Reserve center in his honor on July 13. Butler was killed in action in O... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
"Say my baby's name" Wilmington Armed Forces Reserve Center memorialized in honor of local Soldier
37 / 37 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The display case containing various artifacts donated by the family of Sgt. Thomas J. Butler for the ceremony dedicating and renaming the Wilmington Armed Forces Reserve center in his honor. Butler was killed in action in October 1, 2012 in Khost Cit... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

WILMINGTON, N.C. -- "We are gathered here today not to celebrate, not to recognize brick and mortar and construction, but we're here to recognize the name which it will bear." These were the words of Pastor Jim Davis in his opening invocation at the memorialization and renaming ceremony for the Sgt. Thomas J. (T.J.) Butler IV Armed Forces Reserve Center in Wilmington, N.C., on July 13.

A well-known and respected member of the Wilmington area, Butler was killed in action on October 1, 2012 in Khost, Afghanistan, when a suicide bomber detonated his explosives amid their patrol. He had deployed with the 514th Military Police Company of the North Carolina Army National Guard.

Well over 350 family members, fellow Soldiers and community members were in attendance as a number of speakers spoke about Butler's short life and the contributions and positive impact he made in his community.

Maj. Gen. Gill Beck, the commanding general of the 81st Regional Support Command, talked about the strength that comes from strong family and community. "This is a reminder and in many ways it's a celebration of the strength of our Army," he said. "Even when we have a Soldier that we lose, we can draw strength from that particular incident. We don't grow weaker but we grow stronger."

Beck encouraged the audience to use Sgt. Butler's story as encouragement as the need arises. "One of the things that we can do with regards to this memorialization; we can use this as an opportunity to gain strength for the future, so that when Soldiers come into this building they can be inspired by Sgt. Butler's example. They can know that what they are doing makes a difference, what they are doing matters."

Congressman Mike McIntyre of North Carolina's 7th District read a congressional proclamation and then presented it to Butler's widow, Holly, along with a commemorative congressional coin.

"A memorial such as this does several things," said Maj. Gen. Greg Lusk, Adjutant General for the North Carolina National Guard. "We pay tribute to a very deserving individual, one that gave the ultimate sacrifice, but in so doing we also pay tribute and recognition to so many others who unfortunately have given the ultimate sacrifice. More importantly to me, we set into place an opportunity that allows us and the future generations to reflect back on what it means to serve. They did not set out to be heroes that day."

Numerous others in T.J.'s life, fellow Soldiers, teachers, coaches and church friends, all spoke along the same theme; he was a great friend, a highly contributing member to his family, community and country who made a positive impact on everyone he met.

His squad leader, Staff Sgt. Ty Braxton said, "I don't know if he knew this, but as his squad leader, I saw that he made everyone around him better."

His team leader, Sgt. Kyle Snyder said, "T.J. never came across anybody he didn't like. He touched everybody in one way or another."

He had even met his wife volunteering at a homeless shelter, according to Mr. Bill Harris who is the coordinator of a downtown ministry that helps needy people in Wilmington. Harris said that people at the ministry also know T.J.'s legacy of service.

When T.J.'s mother, Leslie Butler, stood to speak, she thanked her new Army family and said, "We all came here for the same reason, to gather more memories of T.J. and when I see you I see him. I see T.J. in every one of your faces."

"He was family to everyone at the 514th, just as he was to us," said Robin van Houten, T.J.'s aunt. "He was a hero. My T-man was a hero to everyone in the United States, not just here in Wilmington."

The Wilmington facility is home to Army Reserve Soldiers and Navy Reserve Sailors who will all know of a young man's sacrifice.

"It kind of makes them timeless," Lusk added. "It freezes them in time. That picture of Thomas Butler here in this facility, it will be the face that it was last year, and it will be that way for many decades."

"It's just surreal to know that other people will be saying my son's name," Leslie said. "It's just an honor."

Whenever anyone working at the center answers their phone, they will say the new name of the building and that remembrance is all Leslie says she can ask for. "Say my baby's name." She feels that whenever her son's name is spoken, he will not really be gone.

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Wilmington Armed Forces Reserve Center memorialized in honor of local Soldier