HUNTSVILLE, Ala. -- A powerful silence overcame hundreds of onlookers as the families of two fallen Soldiers laid the Gold Star wreath Monday during a Memorial Day observance at Maple Hill Cemetery.
Gen. Dennis Via, commander of the Army Materiel Command, accompanied widow Katrina and son Matthew of Sgt. 1st Class Jason Bishop who was killed in action in Iraq in January 2006, and mother Cheryl of Cpl. Andrew Chris who was killed in action in Iraq in June 2003, as they laid the wreath on behalf of all Gold Star families.
Via addressed hundreds in attendance during the annual observance, including more than 50 Gold Star family members of fallen service members, noting that their sacrifice will never be forgotten.
"My wife, Linda, and I are humbled and deeply honored for the privilege of commemorating this Memorial Day with you," he said. "Your presence here, and the Gold Star that you wear, reminds us all of the true meaning of Memorial Day and the obligation we have to the families of the fallen, and that's something we will never forget."
Via challenged the audience to take care of Gold Star families and remember the sacrifices they've made.
"Today, in cemeteries across our nation, in small towns and big cities, Americans are remembering and honoring those who laid down their lives for their friends, for their countrymen and for our freedom," he said. "Let us remember them, all of them. Let us honor their service, and let us rededicate ourselves to our sacred obligation to care for their families who have sacrificed so much for our nation. For it is they, more than any others, who understand the true price of freedom."
Huntsville mayor Tommy Battle also gave remarks and said everyone is called to honor the more than 1 million lives lost in war and defense of the nation.
"The takeaway for today is that each of us are called to service. We are called to be out here today," Battle said. "As we are called to that service, we must answer that call. We must do that as a memorial, as an honor to those who have fallen."
Nearly 40 local organizations laid wreaths during the ceremony sponsored by the City of Huntsville, the North Alabama Veterans & Fraternal Organizations Coalition and the Association of the U.S. Army. American Legion 237 Rifle Squad provided a rifle salute and World War II veteran Mike Vaccaro rendered honors to the fallen with the playing of Taps. The ceremony concluded as the 1st Patriot Support Corps swiftly raised the American flag to full mast at noon.
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