Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Michael Behlin | Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Galbusieri, the 3rd ESC’s Army Force Generation...... read more read more
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FORT KNOX, Ky. – Soldiers from Fort Knox’s 3rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) participated in the Wreaths Across America ceremony, Dec. 11 at the Kentucky Veterans Cemetery Central in Radcliff, Ky.
The ceremony, which has taken place at the Kentucky Veterans Cemetery Central for two years, honors the past, present and future sacrifices of veterans and their families.
The Sustainers, who placed wreaths representing each branch of service in front of the branch’s corresponding flag and in front of headstones of veterans, said they were honored to take part in the ceremony which paid tribute to those who came before them.
“Today was a way for me to pay my respects to all of the fallen service members, those participating in conflicts now and those who will be in conflicts in the future,” said Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Galbusieri, the 3rd ESC’s Army Force Generation non-commissioned officer in charge and Ft. Lauderdale,Fla. native. “This event shows me that there is great support for the armed services.”
Galbusieri, one of eight soldiers from the 3rd ESC and 233rd Transportation Company to participate in the ceremony, said Saturday was a very emotional event. He said that laying wreaths for veterans was the least he could do to honor the veterans laid to rest at the Kentucky Veterans Cemetery Central.
The Sustainers, along with friends and family members of fallen veterans, laid a total of 1,500 wreaths throughout the cemetery.
Speaking at the event was Maj. Gen. Donald M. Campbell, the commanding general of the U.S. Army Recruiting Command, who thanked everyone in attendance for taking the time to recognize veterans.
“Christmas is about the spirit of celebration, the spirit of giving and it’s appropriate that we’re here giving thanks to our veterans in this wonderful cemetery,” Campbell said to the crowd. “For over 235 years the Army has stood on the shoulders of those that have gone before us and we want to make sure we recognize them.”
The ceremony’s organizer, Donna Betson, said that the attendance for Saturday’s event was overwhelming. Betson, a Radcliff native, said that she began working with the surrounding communities more than two years ago to organize the ceremony at the Kentucky Veterans Cemetery Central, which opened in June of 2007.
She said that the communities have provided overwhelming support since the event’s inception, with about 500 veterans being buried at the cemetery yearly.
When asked how the ceremony turned out, Betson had just one word to describe it, “Incredible.”
Wreaths Across America is a non-profit organization that was formed as an extension of the Arlington Wreath Project, which laid wreaths on the headstones of fallen heroes at Arlington National Cemetery, according the organization’s website.
Today, wreath laying ceremonies are held in every state, Puerto Rico and 24 overseas cemeteries.
| Date Taken: | 12.11.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 12.13.2010 14:35 |
| Story ID: | 61897 |
| Location: | FORT KNOX, KY, US |
| Web Views: | 61 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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