BEDFORD, Mass. (May 26, 2015) -- Just a matter of miles up the road from the American Army's birthplace, the U.S. Army Garrison Natick command sergeant major observed Memorial Day on May 25 with a group of veterans, their families and other guests.
Speaking at Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital, Command Sgt. Maj. Erika M. Gholar reminded the audience that Americans first died in battle in nearby Lexington, where the first shots of the Revolutionary War rang out.
"In the words of Henry Ward Beecher, 'They hover as a cloud of witnesses above this Nation,'" Gholar recalled. "It is our duty to honor their sacrifice and that their lives be not lost in vain."
Meanwhile, Col. James Persson, medical director of the U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, spoke at the Town of Natick Memorial Day service.
"The sacrifices we remember on Memorial Day are hard for us … for anyone … to comprehend," Persson said. "Despite being in the service, Memorial Day was still just an opportunity to start the summer with a bang."
Persson went on to reflect on the sacrifice the military has made on behalf of our nation.
"Within the military, understanding the numbers of service members who have died in our wars is difficult even for us," Persson said. "At a recent retirement ceremony, the retiring senior officer described the amount of time it would take to read the names of over one million service members who have died during our nation's wars. I could not get past that number … over one million. Surely, he must have had the number wrong. That number seemed way too high. That number was equivalent to the population of some Midwestern states.
"Later that day, I checked into it. Sure enough, he was right and I was humbled, not knowing the sheer magnitude of the previous sacrifice of my own brothers and sisters in arms throughout the generations. Suddenly, I was a part of that majority that I had wrongly accused of not knowing more about sacrifice. One million lives: lives of fathers, brothers, mothers, daughters lost in order to keep our country free."
Persson talked about his time as a family physician in the Army, where he would deliver babies and be the first person to hold the children, even before the parents. He also noted that he would sometimes be the last person with those sons and daughters on their dying days.
"Whether a child, young adult or elderly parent, I would try to help the family understand the death of their loved one, often in the prime of their life … Why now? Why this way? For what reason?" Persson said. "From this experience, to know that this family grieving process was repeated one million times for the lives lost in service is difficult to comprehend.
"Memorial Day should not be just for remembering the fallen with observances in the present day. It should be about charting a path into the future based on the foundation of these sacrifices. They laid the foundation of freedom for us to build a future. It is now up to us to continue on. How much effort should we apply to this future path? The answer is easy: over one million lives worth."
As she looked out upon the veterans in attendance at the VA chapel, Gholar acknowledged their own considerable sacrifices.
"It is truly an honor to be here, surrounded by heroes," Gholar said. "Thank you for your service to our great nation, whether you are in or out of the service. You are still part of the team."
Gholar, who comes from a military family, has been in the Army Signal Corps for 29 years. She has served in Germany, Korea and Afghanistan.
"When you and I raised our right hands … we took the oath and swore to protect and defend the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic," said Gholar, who added how much she enjoys talking to and learning from veterans.
Gholar pointed out how much she enjoys talking to and learning from veterans.
"I take every moment that I spend with them and I treasure it, because I learn something every time," Gholar said. "I treasure hearing how different things were for you and comparing them to how things are for me as I continue to serve. I use these lessons as a tool so I can serve honorably and teach other service members how to serve honorably and carry on with the standards and the traditions of each of our branches for the next generation."
All were on hand at the VA to remember those of their brothers and sisters in arms who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country in past and present conflicts.
"We recall their valor and their sacrifices," Gholar said. "We remember and honor those who gave their lives that others might live."
Gholar asked those in attendance to also keep current warriors in their thoughts on this solemn day.
"While you're enjoying your day today, remember there are still service members serving in harm's way who aren't with their families," Gholar said. "Please say a prayer for their safety, for their families who are missing their Soldier."
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