FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. — Fort Leonard Wood’s Survivor Outreach Services hosted more than 40 survivors from the surrounding community at its Angel Bell Remembrance Tree ornament-decorating event and potluck-style luncheon Saturday at Army Community Service.
According to SOS Coordinator Jody Carmack, the 10-foot remembrance tree was first installed in 2012, and now has more than 700 hand-made ornaments, each decoration designed to highlight the life and service of a particular loved one.
The intent behind the tree is simple, Carmack said.
“The first year, 2012, I had seen a really beautiful memorial tree on the news, and I thought, ‘Wow, I can do that for my survivors,’” she said. “I wanted a way to allow them to have a warm Christmas moment that honored their loved one and provided the opportunity for the Fort Leonard Wood community to also remember and honor our lost service members.”
Each year, a new ornament design is chosen, Carmack said, and this year’s ornaments follow the 2022 SOS theme, “Home is where their heart is.”
“It is a tiny paper house with angel wings and a bell,” Carmack said. “Survivors had the option to come and decorate their house with tiny wreaths, snow, etc.”
Angela Landreth attended the event with her mother, Gudrun, whose husband, retired 1st Sgt. Jesse Landreth, passed away in 2015.
“Events like this provide not just a lifeline for these folks when they first experience the loss,” Angela said. “They (also) continue to be their family.”
Assisting Carmack with the event was Katrinka Good, a retiree survivor spouse — her husband, retired Marine Sgt. Maj. Charles Good, was the sergeant major of the Fort Leonard Wood Marine Corps Detachment from April 1995 to May 1997.
Good is the volunteer leader of the area’s retiree survivor support group, which has worked for years to connect survivors and provide ways to build bonds and camaraderie.
“Being a retiree widow myself, I don’t want anyone to be left behind,” she said. “If they need something, we are here to help them.”
Also helping with the event was Staff Sgt. Jorge Martinez, an instructor with the 58th Transportation Battalion’s Motor Transport Operator Course, and his wife, Carol, who volunteered their Saturday to ensure the survivors were well cared for.
“We just wanted to help, but after spending time with everyone today, we are astonished that even though they are all sad, we see how they need each other and enjoy the company,” the NCO said. “This group takes care of each other and us, should we ever be in the same position.”
Carmack said the tree will remain in the ACS lobby, Bldg. 486, through the first week of January — anyone with access to the installation is encouraged to stop by, have a look, pay their respects and remember fallen service members.
To learn more about services Fort Leonard Wood provides to survivors, visit the SOS website or call 573.596.0212.
Social Sharing