FORT SILL, Okla. -- One hundred and fifty three faces line the walls of Fort Sill's Hall of Remembrance in the Welcome Center. As they stare out, loved ones are invited to look back and remember their shared past.
Fort Sill held its public opening ceremony for the hall May 16.
"This building belongs to the garrison of Fort Sill and it's open to service members, retirees, Department of the Army civilians and family members, but this hall belongs to families of the fallen," said Maj. Gen. Mark McDonald, Fires Center of Excellence and Fort Sill commanding general.
Members of the 77th Army Band played softly as guests looked at the photos and reflected on what their placement in that hall meant. While this was the public opening ceremony, family members were invited to a private opening earlier in the year.
"It's been really rough. It's been almost 11 years and you still remember it every day," said Sherri Parker as she looked at the picture of her son who died while undergoing heart surgery.
Fort Sill's Survivor Outreach Services (SOS) contacted families of the fallen throughout Oklahoma and Arkansas asking them to endow the hall with a photo of their service member.
"They could have easily decided they didn't want anything more to do with the Army and that would've been so easy to understand. Yet we've been given these pictures," said McDonald. "Families who have entrusted their Soldier's pictures with us and their story and we will not break that trust."
"Some of the stories we have received have been so touching. Not just how they lived, how they died. You might see a picture of a Soldier with a cellphone in their hand ... that may have been the last call home before something happened to them. The touching stories behind each and every one of these photos is so compelling and Jodi and I are humbled to be able to do this job and demonstrate our commitment to these families," said Christy Shrock, SOS financial counselor.
SOS began in 2009 as the chief of staff of the Army wanted to show the long-term commitment the military has to the families who are left to carry the burden of the ultimate sacrifice.
"We can't honor them enough. We go through the ceremony and we're sad, truly sad, for a few hours. Every one of these who have lost a family member - they think about it every day. Every day they feel that sacrifice. So this is just a small thing to do for them," said McDonald.
The ceremony included a roll call in the order SOS received the service member's photograph from the family. Sobs went up through the room as each name carried the weight of the reminder that those individuals are no longer here.
"It means a lot because we don't want anyone to forget any of them. Not just Billy, but any of them because you have no idea what it's like to get that knock on the door ... that phone call," said Tina Bates who's brother William Bushnell died after a rocket propelled grenade struck his humvee.
McDonald said the faces that were memorialized in the hall belong to those who donned the uniform from Sept. 11, 2001 to just three months ago. Thirty of which were from Fort Sill.
"This hall holds something dear to all of us. Whether it's the hall in its entirety and what it stands for, or the photograph of a particular Soldier and what they stood for. The hall was designed to provide a place: A place to honor, to remember and preserve the names of our fallen. A place to hear life stories, ponder the snapshots and reflect on the faces. A place to be with others. A place to come alone. A place that will provide a safe haven and comfort," said McDonald.
The hall is also meant to raise awareness about the Gold Star and Next of Kin pins worn by familiy members of the fallen. The pins are designed to signify the loss of a loved one in support of the United States. Although the pins have been in existence for decades, many Americans are unfamiliar with their meaning.
"This hall is not named the Hall of Fame or Hall of Heroes ... they did not seek fame, they sought to serve. The term hero applied to them already, for heroes are not determined by how they died but how they lived. Those who are honored were heroes long before their families were presented their Gold Star pins. This is a Hall of Remembrance where these Soldiers are not and will not be forgotten," said McDonald.
At the end of the ceremony, McDonald along with Fort Sill Garrison commander Col. Glenn Waters and Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas Miller cut the ribbon dedicating the room.
"Although a time honored tradition, this ribbon cutting does not constitute the beginning of this room's story nor does it signify the end. In truth this room was dedicated to its purpose when the first photograph was hung on the wall, and has been and will be rededicated with each portrait," said McDonald.
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