KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany -- The 21st Theater Sustainment Command paid tribute to fallen comrades -- particularly the 34 TSC Soldiers who gave "the last full measure of devotion" -- during a solemn wreath-laying ceremony held May 26 at Panzer Field.
Around 150 leaders, Soldiers, guests and Family members congregated at command headquarters for the annual Memorial Day tribute.
Brig. Gen. Arlan DeBlieck, the TSC deputy commanding general and 7th Mission Support Command CG, and Command Sgt. Maj. Stanley Richards, the TSC senior enlisted leader, laid the wreath at the foot of the command memorial.
"These 34 soldiers weren't colorful characters in 'Band of Brothers,' or entries in the national archives historical accounts, or even the stars of their own movies like Audie Murphy," the general said. "They were real flesh and blood right here in this unit. They were standing in our very ranks within the lifetime of even the youngest Soldier present today.
"They were right here among us, breathing, laughing, living -- and now, they are not," DeBlieck continued. "They paid that ultimate sacrifice that all of us wearing this uniform are prepared to pay, but few of us ever do. They were real people, with real stories to tell."
The command recognized Spc. Jonathan Kepart, Pvt. Torey Dantzler, Sgt. Tatjana Reed, Pfc. Cole Larsen, Staff Sgt. Shane Koele, Spc. Robert DeFazio, Pfc. Douglas Kashmer, Sgt. Heathe Craig, Pfc. Daniel Zizumbo, Spc. Ashly Moyer, Sgt. Brandon Parr, Sgt. Michael Peek, Pfc. William Farrar, Sgt. Bruce Horner, Spc. Karen Clifton, Pfc. Matthew Murchison, Sgt. Enrique Ulloa, Staff Sgt. Brian Studer, Sgt. 1st Class Gregory Rodriguez, Staff Sgt. Anton Phillips, Staff Sgt. Derek Farley, Staff Sgt. James Eyed, Staff Sgt. Eric Trueblood, Staff Sgt. Joshua Guyer, Pfc. Michael Mahr, Staff Sgt. Joshua Throckmorton, Spc. Jordan Schumann, Spc. Preston Suiter, Sgt. Barun Rai, Pfc. Alberto Obod Jr., Sgt. Paul Rivera, Staff Sgt. Dick Lee Jr., Cpl. Darrion Hicks and Staff Sgt. Errol James by name during the ceremony.
The ceremony concluded with the playing of "Taps," "Retreat" and "To the Color."
Memorial Day originated in the aftermath of the U.S. Civil War as a day of solemn tribute to the fallen. Cities across the nation, North and South alike, held local memorial events. "Decoration Day," the forerunner to Memorial Day, was established in 1868 to honor the Union dead. After World War I, the concept expanded to include American Soldiers killed in all wars. The current national holiday was enacted by Congress in 1971.
A retirement ceremony honoring Stephen Smith, Sgt. 1st Class Jomarian Robbins and Staff Sgt. Michael Taylor preceded the Memorial Day observance. Smith, already a retired reserve colonel, completed a distinguished 33-year career as an officer and civil servant in military law as special assistant to the TSC staff judge advocate. Robbins, who joined the Army in 1994, wrapped up a distinguished career as an Army medic at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center. Taylor, who finished his career as class IX material manager in the TSC support operations section, joined the Army in 1996.
"Your service and sacrifice over the years has included service in multiple armed conflicts, significant lasting contributions to our service, and many, many sacrifices in the interest of freedom and democracy," DeBlieck told the retirees. "Our very way of life, and in fact the freedom and democracy of the entire western world depends heavily upon the kind of service and sacrifice you have made over the years."
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