ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. — Four fallen Soldiers and their family members were honored on Oct. 5, 2024, during a ceremony at APG’s Living Legacy Forest.
This year, four stones were dedicated to honor the lives of Sgt. 1st Class Kevin Ellis, Staff Sgt. Deven Miller, Spc. Izaiah Sneed, and Sgt. 1st Class Michelle Young.
The installation event was hosted by U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command Commanding General and APG Senior Commander Maj. Gen. James D. Turinetti IV, while CECOM Chaplain (Col.) Seth George narrated the program.
The annual ceremony honors and commemorates the sacrifice Gold Star family members make when a relative dies in service to the nation. The ceremony was held in observance of Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day, which was on Sept. 28 this year.
“The Army is indebted to these families, as they are the legacies to their service member’s ultimate sacrifice,” George said.
Turinetti, who took command of CECOM at the end of June, said he is proud to be a part of an installation that has a good relationship with its Gold Star family members. Turinetti said the Living Legacy Forest, dedicated in 2018, provides a serene place for people to reflect on their loved ones.
“It is not called a memorial forest, and it is not a graveyard. It is aptly named as a place where we can keep legacies alive,” Turinetti said. “A place to sit in nature, find comfort, and share memories. A place with a permanence that allows the names of these fallen heroes to continue to be uttered long after we, too, have left this earth.”
Turinetti said the names of the fallen link together to form the foundation of the Gold Star Plaza. There were 90 existing stones in the Gold Star Plaza and four more were added after the ceremony.
“I can assure you that your loved one’s sacrifice mattered and that our nation can never thank you enough for what you have given,” Turinetti said. “Our nation will never forget you and your heroes.”
After Turinetti’s remarks, APG Soldiers rendered honors to the four Gold Star family members.
Reflecting on loved ones
After the ceremony, Gold Star family members and guests made their way to a catered dinner at Quarters One, the historic home of the APG senior commander, following an “Honor Walk,” featuring photos of fallen service members.
CECOM Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Conaty shared a few stories about each of the four fallen Soldiers honored during the ceremony and encouraged attendees to share their own.
Gold Star mother Teresa Sneed thanked the APG community for showing their support.
“It is a great event, it helps to know you have other people out there like yourself,” she said.
Gold Star son Phillip Johnson said his father, 1st Lt. Daniel Johnson, passed away when he was 4 years old. Now an Aberdeen High School student, he attends Gold Star events with his mother annually.
“These types of events are nice because it puts us in a place where we can relate to others, talk about our loved ones, and share experiences with them,” Johnson said.
To view more photos from the event, visit https://www.flickr.com/photos/organize/?start_tab=one_set72177720321037300
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