Photo By Sgt. Cheryl Cox | Soldiers, from throughout 1st Cavalry Division, stand on line for the "Firing of...... read more read more
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By Sgt. Cheryl Cox
1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs
FORT HOOD, Texas – With standing room only, Soldiers, friends and family members filled the 1st Cavalry Division Memorial Chapel June 21 to say their final farewells to their loved ones and comrades.
Following opening remarks and the invocation from Maj. Paul Dirksmeyer, the 1st Cavalry Division chaplain, Col. Larry Phelps, the 1st Cavalry Division commanding general welcomed all guests to this month's memorial ceremony.
"The celebrated George S. Patton once said, 'It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died,'" Phelps quoted. "'Rather we should thank God that such men lived.'"
"We gather today to give thanks for 18 warriors who lived the kinds of lives that we all aspire to live," he said. "Eighteen warriors who fully understand what serving others, at what ever cost, truly means."
As the friends and families of the 18 Soldiers memorialized looked on, battle buddies and leaders of their warriors spoke about the kinds of men and Soldiers they were.
"(Pfc. Larry I. Guyton) left an example for all young men to strive to achieve," said Capt. Craig Casey, the 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment commander, during his eulogy for one of his Soldiers from Company A. "His memory will drive us to remember him in all things we accomplish."
Another fallen hero that will always be remembered by those who knew him best is Sgt. Anselmo Martinez III, of Company B, 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment of the division's 3rd Brigade Combat Team.
"Sgt. Martinez is a greater man than any of us could ever be in our lifetimes," said 1st Lt. Jason Brinkley, the 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment executive officer. "The many sacrifices made by this great American will be forever etched in stone. The 'Grey Wolf' brigade and the 'Charger' battalion have suffered a great loss."
As Phelps concluded his remarks, he reminded everyone in attendance of one very important thing.
"We must not forget these people," he said. "We must not forget their lives, their deaths or their examples."
| Date Taken: | 06.24.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 06.25.2007 10:10 |
| Story ID: | 10948 |
| Location: | FORT HOOD, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 364 |
| Downloads: | 350 |
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