PICATINNY ARSENAL, N.J. - New Jersey service members who have died in support of overseas contingency operations since Sept. 11, 2001 were honored at this year's annual New Jersey Fallen Service Member Tree Memorial Ceremony, Sep. 10.
It marked the second ceremony since its inception in 2007 where no new service members were honored for the previous calendar year, as no New Jersey service members were killed in action in 2014 or 2015.
The ceremony is part of an annual tradition here where a red oak tree is planted as a memorial to the individual service member and a plaque is placed at the base of each tree. The red oak is the official state tree of New Jersey. In all, 174 red oak trees are now planted in the memorial.
This year a plaque was unveiled that brought a close to the memorial 15 years after the attacks on our nation on September 11, 2001.
The plaque reads as follows:
"New Jersey Fallen Service Member Tree Memorial - Never Forgotten ------- In response to the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, Picatinny Arsenal is proud to honor the New Jersey Service Members who have made the ultimate sacrifice in support of the Overseas Contingency Operations beginning 7 October 2001 and ending on 31 December 2014. Dedicated 10 September 2016 Picatinny Arsenal"
As part of honoring all of the fallen New Jersey fallen service members, the ceremony included a reading of all their names, followed by a 21-gun salute, and a bagpipe rendition of "Amazing Grace" and "Taps," musical pieces which are typically played at military ceremonies to honor fallen service members.
Brig. Gen. Patrick Burden, Picatinny Arsenal Senior Commander told families and ceremony attendees:
"For the most fitting memorial we can truly leave for the 174 brave Americans are not words etched on a plaque but memories etched in our hearts, in our souls. As we continue to move forward in the defense of liberty and freedom for all, may God look over the families of the men and women we honor here today."
After the ceremony ended, families and loved ones were transported to the area where the trees planted in honor of their fallen service members are located.
Related Links:
Picatinny honors fallen New Jersey heroes
Picatinny tree memorial ceremony set for June 11
Picatinny Dedicates Memorial to Fallen New Jersey Service Members
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