JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq - Sustainers honored fallen U.S. Service Members during a Memorial Day ceremony here May 25.
Remembering their own, Soldiers of the 3d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) laid a wreath beside pictures of the nine ESC Soldiers who died while serving in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 2008-2010, that was near a Boots-Helmet-Rifle memorial display located in the entry way of the Joint Operation Center.
"The importance of Memorial Day can never be over stated. It is a time to reflect on the sacrifices and services of the American service members," said Brig. Gen. Michael J. Lally, 3d ESC commanding general, addressing approximately 150 Soldiers at the ceremony. "Today we pay respect to the memory, courage, competency and commitment of the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen who sacrificed their lives to build a better future and defend freedom."
The nine 3d ESC Soldiers honored at the ceremony were:
Army Sgt. 1st Class Anthony L. Woodham, 37, of Rogers, Ark.; assigned to the 39th Brigade Support Battalion, 39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Arkansas Army National Guard, Heber Springs, Ark.; died July 5. Camp Adder, Tallil, Iraq.
Army Staff Sgt. Brian K. Miller, 37, of Pendleton, Ind.; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 293rd Infantry Regiment, 76th Brigade Combat Team, Indiana Army National Guard, Fort Wayne, Ind.; died Aug. 2 in Abd Allah, Iraq.
Army Sgt. Jose E. Ulloa, 23, of New York; assigned to the 515th Transportation Company, 28th Transportation Battalion, Mannheim, Germany; died Aug. 9 in Sadr City, Iraq.
Sgt. Kendall Carne, 28, of Rockingham, N.C.; assigned to the 503d Maintenance Company; died Aug. 16, 2008 while home on leave in Hamlet, N.C.
Army Spc. Bradley S. Coleman, 24, of Martinsville, Va.; assigned to the 51st Transportation Company, 21st Theater Sustainment Command, Mannheim, Germany; died Oct. 29 at Marez, Iraq.
Army Sgt. James M. Clay, 25, of Mountain Home, Ark.; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 153rd Infantry Regiment, 39th Brigade Combat Team, Arkansas Army National Guard, Little Rock, Ark.; died Nov. 13 in Anbar province, Iraq.
Army Sgt. Kyle J. Harrington, 24, of Swansea, Mass.; was assigned to the 542nd Maintenance Company, 80th Ordnance Battalion, 593rd Sustainment Brigade, Fort Lewis, Wash.; died Jan. 24 in Basra, Iraq.
Army Sgt. Daniel J. Beard, 24, of Buffalo, N.Y.; assigned to the 147th Postal Company, 21st Theater Sustainment Command, Wiesbaden, Germany; died April 3 in Al Diwaniyah, Iraq.
Army Pvt. Justin Hartford, 21, of Elmira, N.Y.; was assigned to the 699th Maintenance Company, Fort Irwin, Calif.; died May 8 at Joint Base Balad, Iraq
"We acknowledge our debt to those that have given their lives for their country's freedom, justice and liberty," said Lt. Col. Wilbert C. Harrison, the 3d ESC chaplain, during the invocation. "May we never forget the value of their sacrifice, nor the nobility of their courage, nor the tenacity of endurance which has purchased for us peace, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."
Lally highlighted the history of Memorial Day explaining it was first enacted to honor fallen Union Soldiers from the American Civil war. He said it was later expanded after World War I to include American casualties of any war or military action.
Today's Soldiers remember those who have gone before them and will never forget the lessons of bravery, loyalty, commitment and honor of Soldiers in past wars including World War I, World War II, Vietnam and the most recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"Each of you share a professional bond that exemplifies the extraordinary service of Americans in uniform throughout the years," Lally said. "The Veterans of our past wars would be proud of how this generation of Soldiers carries on their proud legacy."
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