FORT BENNING, Ga., (May 27, 2015) -- "What is Memorial Day?" asked Maj. Gen. Scott Miller, commanding general of the Maneuver Center of Excellence, as he referred to the debate over the holiday on social media. "I think what matters is that we take some time just to remember."
During the Fort Benning Memorial Day observation May 25 at the Main Post Cemetery, Miller remembered Soldiers who died for their country as he told stories of their service.
"As I talk about the few of them, what I'd ask those in the audience, is to remember their Soldiers who gave their lives for their country," Miller said. "And, I think, if we take that, it doesn't really matter ... where you are, take a few moments today to remember those fallen, then we have accomplished the purpose of Memorial Day."
The first, Cpl. James "Jamie" Smith, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, was killed in action Oct. 3, 1993, during the Battle of Mogadishu. He was buried at Fort Benning.
The second, Master Sgt. Tim "Griz" Martin, 1st Special Forces - Delta Force, was killed that same day, Oct. 3, 1993, while serving with Task Force Ranger at the Battle of Mogadishu.
"Older man, master sergeant, same kind of drive as Jamie Smith, found himself in the heat of battle," Miller said. "You can imagine the fight for seats on who can go, who can't go. (Martin) said 'Look, I'm getting older, I don't have too many more of these left because I need to be involved.'"
Martin was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
The third Soldier Miller remembered was Lt. Col. Kip Taylor, who served in the Army's office of the deputy chief of staff for personnel.
"The best adjutant I ever saw ... worked with us in the 90s, had gone to the Pentagon to serve in the Army G1 - the last place that any of us thought that we would be saying 'you're going to lose your life in a combat action.'"
Taylor was killed Sept. 11, 2001, when the Pentagon was attacked. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
Miller remembered Master Sgt. Joe Andres, Special Forces Command, who was killed Dec. 24, 2005, supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
"Joe was part of a very, very strong team," Miller said.
Another Soldier, Staff Sgt. Alex Viola, 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), was killed Nov. 17, 2013, serving during Operation Enduring Freedom. Miller said Viola had a personal connection with a person in attendance May 25. Viola was buried at Bluebonnet Hills Cemetery, Colleyville, Texas.
"Cemeteries across our country are sacred ground because of the men and women who lie within," Miller said. "So, I would ask you, again, just take time to remember."
Miller also spoke of the road dedicated to Master Sgt. Jared Van Aalst, Special Forces Command, at the Benning Martin Army Community Hospital. Van Aalst was killed Aug. 4, 2010, supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
"The world will little note nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here," Miller said as he quoted the 16th president, Abraham Lincoln, and his remarks about the Battle of Gettysburg.
In 1868, three years after the Civil War ended, Maj. Gen. John A. Logan declared Decoration Day - a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers - should be observed on May 30 because on that day, flowers would be in bloom all over the country.
In 1966, Congress and President Lyndon Johnson declared Waterloo, New York, the official birthplace of Memorial Day.
It was not until World War I that the day was expanded to honor those who have died in all of America's wars.
In 1971, Congress declared Memorial Day an official holiday.
The 8,000 headstones at the Main Post Cemetery were all adorned with American flags.
Miller acknowledged veterans, Families and active-duty Soldiers from the front row to the back and the Soldier from 2nd Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, who helped in laying the wreath at the ceremony.
"I recognize that we span many generations - we have the opportunity today to remember our fallen," Miller said. "Remember those close to you; remember their names, remember their faces, and say a prayer for them and tell them 'thank you very much.'"
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