FORT BELVOIR, Va. -- The U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command (INSCOM) held a commemorative ceremony honoring some of America's fallen Military Intelligence heroes at the Nolan Building, May 27.
Each year INSCOM honors the memory of our Nation's veterans who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country, with a special tribute to the fallen servicemen and women whose names are inscribed on the two memorials located in front of the INSCOM headquarters.
Deborah Davis, INSCOM secretary of the general staff and the event's master of ceremony, welcomed attendees to the event and described the two memorials' establishment.
"INSCOM established these memorials to recognize Intelligence Soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice," said Davis. "The statue of a lone Soldier atop its base of light gray granite marble honors Soldiers from INSCOM's predecessor organization, the Army Security Agency (ASA). The INSCOM Memorial, three stones of dark granite marble, honors Soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice in support of INSCOM's mission and in-service to our Nation. We welcome all of you as we remember, respect, and honor the many, full of life and promise, who gave their lives for us."
Maj. Gen. Gary Johnston, INSCOM commanding general, led the official party, accompanied by Chief Warrant Officer 5 Kevin Boughton, INSCOM command chief warrant officer; Sgt. Maj. Stanley Hall, INSCOM G-3 senior enlisted; and retired Chief Warrant Officer 4 Alan Lindley, an ASA and Vietnam War veteran.
Col. Howard Cantrell, INSCOM chaplain, preceded with an invocation; thereafter, Johnston began his remarks honoring the men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
"As we gather across the Nation to honor these great Americans and recognize their role in our country's never-ending quest to enjoy life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness," said Johnston. “Each and every one of these men and women left an indelible mark on our Nation as they gave their lives for an idea that was much larger and is much larger than us. These men and women never asked to be heroes or martyrs; they were simply doing what our country asked of them.”
Johnston took a moment to give a brief history on the memorials dedicated to ASA and INSCOM, before asking attendees to take a moment to reflect on the fallen Soldiers' service, valor, and sacrifice.
“INSCOM has two memorials dedicated to our brothers and sisters in arms that we’ve lost,” Johnston added. "The ASA Monument (Memorial) was erected in 1969 and has the names of 37 fallen Soldiers, from the Korean War to the Vietnam War. It initially stood at Arlington Hall but now stands in front of the Nolan Building. The INSCOM Memorial honors INSCOM Soldiers who have fallen since 1988. There are 30 inscribed names."
Johnston reminded attendees that we need to ensure the memory of these men and women are never forgotten.
"They gave, so their children and grandchildren and generations to come can enjoy the fruits of this Nation has to offer," said Johnston. "The debt that we owe these Americans should never be forgotten, and their memories should endure the test of time."
With remarks complete, the event concluded with a wreath-laying ceremony by Johnston, Hall, Boughton, and special guest Lindley.
A red, white, and blue wreath were placed in front of the two prominent memorials which stand in front of the INSCOM headquarters Building, paying homage to service members from the military intelligence community who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of their country.
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