SEMBACH, Germany -- As the autumn leaves fell and the cool winds blew, Soldiers, Civilians, Families and friends of the 18th Military Police Brigade came together at a rededication ceremony on Sembach Kaserne, here Nov.17, to honor Soldiers who gave their lives for freedom.
The brigade's memorial recently moved from Fanari Barracks, Mannheim, Germany, to Sembach Kaserne. The ceremony solidified the movement of the 18th MP Bde. to the Sembach community.
The memorial itself is a marble pillar set within a sea of smooth white stones which holds a plaque for each of the 67 military police men and women who gave their lives in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. The brigade crest sits atop the pillar, a reminder of the common bond between each of the Soldiers remembered on the memorial.
Col. Brian Bisacre, the commander of the 18th MP Bde., spoke with sincere appreciation regarding the men and women who were being memorialized.
"We vow never to forget. We remember in many ways," said Bisacre. "It may be the black band you wear on your wrist, a dog tag you saved or a photo of a past time."
Bisacre also acknowledged the hard work of Command Sgt. Maj. Brenda Curfman, the senior enlisted advisor of the 18th MP Bde. and the senior noncommissioned officers who were involved in the memorial's movement to Sembach.
"A lot of hard work went into ensuring that this was done right. That work was lead by Brenda Curfman and delivered by our senior NCOs at the Headquarters and Headquarters Company," said Bisacre.
"It is their unwritten commitment to ensure as a unit, army and nation that our Soldiers who died in combat will never be forgotten," said Bisacre.
Curfman led the charge to find the precise location, which is close to the brigade headquarters and noticeable enough to get the attention of Soldiers visiting the area.
"I wanted to ensure it was a place where Soldiers who come to the headquarters would see it and visit it," said Curfman.
"It feels awesome rededicating the memorial. It's the right thing to do and I feel we owe it to the Soldiers, their families, and the Soldiers who are still here that served with them," said Curfman.
"These Soldiers fought and died for our country and we can't ever forget," she added.
Bisacre, along with Curfman, placed a wreath in front of the memorial, honoring the fallen. The wreath portrays intense green and yellow colors that represent the 18th MP Bde. under which each Soldier served.
"For a unit like ours we rededicate our memorials so we never forget the names, the Soldiers, their families, the sacrifice and the honor," said Bisacre.
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