PICATINNY ARSENAL, N.J. -- Sitting at the base of a red oak tree, Kaylee, 8, and Leah Wildrick, 6, had heard the mournful bugle sound of "Taps" and a 21-gun salute earlier in the day, but they would have a more tangible memory with them when they returned home.
Assisted by U.S. Army Maj. Joshua Keena, the two girls used paper to trace the lettering on a marker beneath the oak tree that honored their father, Spc. Ronald H. Wildrick, Jr., of Blairstown, N.J., who was killed in Afghanistan, Dec. 11, 2011.
Although years of combat by our nation are coming to a close, honoring the memory of fallen service members has become a tradition at Picatinny Arsenal, where dozens of red oak trees have been planted in honor of persons with a New Jersey connection who lost their lives since September 11, 2001.
It was at the most recent ceremony June 7 that Kaylee and Leah Wildrick, along with family and friends of other fallen service members, came to Picatinny Arsenal to participate in the annual ritual, formally named the New Jersey Fallen Service Member Tree Memorial Ceremony.
"You are all an example of strength and courage that serves to inspire us," Brig. Gen. John McGuiness, Picatinny Arsenal's Senior Commander, said to the audience gathered for the ceremony.
The New Jersey service members honored this year include Sgt. Derek McConnell of North Caldwell, N.J.; Staff Sgt. Eric D. Christian, of Ramsey, N.J.; and Staff Sgt. Timothy R. McGill, also of Ramsey.
After the official ceremony, which included a bagpipe rendition of "Amazing Grace," families and loved ones were transported to the location where the trees are planted in honor of fallen service members.
Keena, who was in the middle of changing permanent duty stations and no longer officially on the Picatinny Arsenal rolls at the time, was one of the volunteers who serve as a military escort to families.
When a photo of Keena and the Waldrick daughters beneath the oak tree was posted on social media, their grandmother, Patricia Kasper, asked the public affairs office at Picatinny Arsenal to thank Keena and to tell him the girls are still talking about him.
Related Links:
Picatinny honors fallen New Jersey service members
Picatinny Community Remembers 9-11, Sacrifices Made by Service Members
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