FORT BRAGG, N.C. (USASOC News Service, May 26, 2016) -- In a solemn ceremony under the shadow of the Special Warfare Memorial Statue, the Soldiers, Families and friends of the U.S. Army Special Operations Command paid homage to the Soldiers fallen during the past year.
Bells tolled during the ceremony, May 26, on the U.S. Army Special Operations Forces Memorial Plaza for Master Sgt. Joshua L. Wheeler, 1st Sgt. Peter A. McKenna, Jr., and Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Q. McClintock, the three Soldiers who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
USASOC Commanding General, Lt. Gen. Kenneth Tovo, spoke of their sense of duty and honor of not just the three, but of all of the Special Operations Soldiers who have died in the line of duty.
"We take a moment to reflect on the lives, the service and the sacrifice of the teammates, friends and family that we lost," he said. "For our fallen warriors words will never adequately convey our gratitude for all that you have given to our nation nor the heartfelt loss at your absence."
He said that the Soldiers will never be forgotten by the USASOC family.
"On this field and in the presence of all of the names inscribed on our memorial wall, we renew our commitment to always remember or fallen comrades and their love ones," Tovo said. "This week is a period of reflection and remembrance for our nation. Those of us in uniform, and those of you here today, know full well what the nation has asked of us and the price that has been paid."
The ceremony included the unveiling of the three nameplates for the Soldiers on the USASOC Memorial Wall and a wreath laying ceremony. The laying of the wreaths is a time-honored tradition in history. The evergreens of the wreath were symbols of a continuance of life and the shape of the wreath is that of a circle -- a symbol of immortality.
Tovo closed the ceremony with words of praise for those who sacrificed their lives for America.
"It (the ceremony) honors the Soldiers, who put aside their hopes and dreams to serve this nation. Their remarkable achievements are firmly embedded in the fabric of the ARSOF legacy. The legacy that we honor, preserve and build upon even to this day."
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