FORT BELVOIR, Va. -- The U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command (INSCOM) honored the 67 INSCOM and Army Security Agency Soldiers who lost their lives serving their country with a Memorial Day Ceremony at the Nolan Building, May 19.
The official party, led by Maj. Gen. Gary W. Johnston, INSCOM commanding general; Chief Warrant Officer 5 Kevin G. Boughton, INSCOM command chief warrant officer; and Sgt. Maj. Stanley L. Hall, Jr., INSCOM acting command sergeant major, presided over the ceremony.
Normally attended by hundreds of members of the command and honored guests, due to social distancing requirements caused by the coronavirus, this year’s recorded ceremony was a quieter affair, dedicated to remembering and thanking those who gave their lives.
Johnston began his remarks by honoring fallen military intelligence heroes past and present.
“Generations of Americans have given everything they had for something greater than themselves,” said Johnston. “It’s important for us to make time to remember and recognize those from the INSCOM team whom we’ve lost.”
Johnston highlighted the service of fallen INSCOM personnel throughout its history and reminded those around the world of the importance of their sacrifice.
"The men and women honored on our memorial are our family, our brothers and sisters in the Army intelligence corps," said Johnston. "These losses remind us of why we come to work every day."
Johnston also imparted the need to remember and celebrate those who paid the ultimate price.
“And so, on this most sacred day, we honor the 67 lives memorialized on the INSCOM wall,” said Johnston. “We will never forget their vibrant lives, their courage, their legacy, and their sacrifice. We count ourselves eternally fortunate to have served with them, and to call them ‘brother’ and ‘sister’.”
Johnston reiterated to the workforce that people are the centerpiece of the Army and INSCOM; and how important it is to remember them on Memorial Day.
Johnston then transitioned to the need to remain vigilant in order to protect the force and maintain readiness.
“Our work as intelligence leaders will never let up, not in the next 30 days, not in a year, not in our lifetime,” said Johnston. “We’ll honor those we’ve lost by carrying on the mission of which they died, we’ll never forget their sacrifice and we’ll remain ever vigilant to protect the Nation.”
The event concluded with a Wreath Laying Ceremony by the official party. Johnston and Hall laid a wreath at the INSCOM Fallen Soldier Memorial, which is made of three granite pillars, honoring those who gave their lives in support of the INSCOM mission.
Boughton laid a wreath at the Army Security Agency Memorial, with a statue of a lone Soldier atop its base, honoring those who gave their lives in service to the country.
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