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. 16.
It marked the third 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, 2015, or 2016.
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.
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. Alfred F. Abramson III, Picatinny Arsenal Senior Commander told families and ceremony attendees:
"I know that for all of us here today, in fact for all Americans, that September 11, 2001 forever changed our world. September 11 has changed the way we lived yesterday, it shapes how we live today, and does and will influence how we live tomorrow. But I submit to each one of you, in this changing and complex world there is one common denominator that will never change and that is our freedom. These heroes, these Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Coast Guardsmen, and Marines, these heroes gave their lives so we can continue to wrap ourselves around the warm blanket of freedom we have come to enjoy, and gotten used to, but should never take for granted."
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.
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