CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait - Service members from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps joined together with coalition forces, Nov. 11 at U.S. Army Central Command Headquarters in Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, for a ceremony that recognized Veterans Day and Remembrance Day.
The ceremony included a speech by Lt. Gen. Paul E. Funk II, commanding general of Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve, laying of wreaths, and Soldiers discussing why they serve, said Army Sgt. Sabrina Bregenzer, logistics noncommissioned officer, Fox Detachment, USARCENT.
"The ceremony kind of hit home for me today," said Bregenzer, a veteran of 10 years and the granddaughter of a Navy veteran. "We often take for granted this day and push it off as another day off. Today, I thought a lot of my grandfather who passed away last year."
Many militaries from around the world gathered under one roof to bond in remembrance of those who have fought throughout history, said Army Staff Sgt. Eric Sanders, operations sergeant with CJTF-OIR.
"The unity of the joint services stuck out to me today," said Sanders, an eight-year veteran. "There are so many groups here working together to better one another."
The ceremony concluded with a barbeque held by CJTF-OIR and an opportunity for service members from each country to learn more about one another.
"The best influence you can have is making friends and realizing that we all experience loss," said Bregenzer. "I hope that people do not just bypass this as just a day off, because there are people who have lost brothers and sisters, and I hope that we don't take advantage of that."
Social Sharing