FORT GORDON, Ga. (Dec. 19, 2014) - The Fort Gordon Survivor Outreach Services invited the surrounding communities to join with them in remembering and offering fellowship with military family survivors during their annual Holiday Remembrance Ceremony held Dec. 9 at Freedom Park.
Karen Lewis, the installation SOS support coordinator, opened the ceremony and invited Vanessa Stanley, director of the Fort Gordon Army Community Service, to give the invocation. "We come now at this special time to reflect on the lives of those heroes who have given their lives in honor of this country," Stanley said. "We thank you for their service and for the families who served beside their Soldiers. Father, we ask you help us show support and let them (the military family survivors) know they don't stand alone, but that we stand with them."
"We thank you for each one who has come out this evening to show our solidarity as we recognize the valiant service of our fallen," Stanley said as she closed the prayer.
Lewis asked the young family survivors to join Lisa Modlin, the SOS benefit coordinator, in placing the SOS Holiday Wreath of Remembrance at the Tree of Remembrance in Freedom Park.
During the movement of the wreath Melissa McKenzie, the National Guard SOS coordinator, explained the significance of the SOS Holiday wreath. "The holiday wreath is meant to bring warmth and cheer to our military survivor family members and bring the SOS, U.S. Army, and all survivors of the fallen together," McKenzie said.
Col. Samuel G. Anderson, the Fort Gordon garrison commander, spoke briefly to each survivor and presented a special SOS Holiday Remembrance ornament to each of them to take home and place on their holiday tree. Fort Gordon SOS staff created the ornaments for the survivors.
In the closing prayer, Stanley asked everyone present to join hands in a show of solidarity. As the ceremony concluded, Lewis invited the military family survivors to a private fellowship time at the Family Outreach Center. Adults and child survivors enjoyed refreshments and making crafts. The adults painted small bird houses and light houses to be set at the bottom of their holiday tree or displayed on a table at their home. The children painted picture frames and made snowman ornaments.
One of survivors attending the event, Louise Heath, the spouse of Sgt. 1st Class Jesse Heath, shared memories of her husband's service. She talked about how he was drafted in 1950 and served in Korea, Vietnam, and Thailand. "He loved serving in the military," Louise Heath said. "I am so grateful for the support SOS offers me, especially during the holidays."
For more information about Survivor Outreach Services, contact Karen Lewis at (706) 787-1767 or stop by room 262 in Darling Hall, Building 33720.
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