Photo By John Crosby | Indiana National Guard Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. R. Martin Umbarger observes the 500...... read more read more
INDIANAPOLIS – Thousands of Hoosiers gathered at Monument Circle, the center of downtown Indianapolis, May 27, to pay homage to the nation’s fallen heroes for Memorial Day.
Representatives of all military branches were present, honoring 16 new Indiana gold-star families who lost a servicemember in 2010. Special guest speaker, the Army’s second-in-charge, 32nd Vice Chief of Staff of the Army, Gen. Peter W. Chiarelli, thanked the families.
“Indiana’s sons and daughters have fought in every conflict dating back to the American Revolution. On behalf of the 1.1 million soldiers in the U.S. Army and the more than 2 million service members of all our branches, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts,” said Chiarelli.
Since the start of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, more than 6,000 U.S. service members have lost their lives. More than 650 died during Chiarelli’s two-year command in Iraq.
“I think about them every single day,” said Chiarelli. “I would trade all the medals and ribbons on my chest and every bit of rank just to get one of them back. They were men and women, husbands, wives, brothers, sons, sisters, daughters. We are here today to ensure every individual is remembered.”
Wreaths were laid on the north steps of the monument in memory of all Hoosiers in all wars and conflicts who sacrificed their lives in defense of the nation. Names of the 16 Indiana service members fallen within the past year were read aloud.
“We’re all familiar with the expressions ‘brothers and sister-in-arms,’” said Chiarelli. “It is an accurate description. We may wear different uniforms and carry out separate, distinct missions in the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and the Coast Guard. But, when the bullets start flying, we are one. One team. The men and women we are honoring this Memorial Day weekend understood this better than anyone.”
Other distinguished speakers included Jimmie Foster, American Legion national commander , Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard and Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels.
“Our duty is to live, as we are meant to live,” said Daniels. “We must live as responsible citizens to repay those who have paid the ultimate price so that we can be here today. We do for ourselves as much as we can. We must never abuse our freedom. Be careful to pass on a country of promise and opportunity to future generations, just as generations did before us.”
Performing at the ceremony was the Capital City Chorus and the 38th Infantry Division Band. Special guests included Medal of Honor recipient U.S. Army Lt. Col. Bruce Crandall who waved the green flag to kick off the Indianapolis 500 the next day.
Featured guest Slovakia Chief of Defense, Gen. Lubomir Bulik, was also in attendance. Currently, five Indiana Guard soldiers are embedded with a Slovakian military team deployed to Kandahar province, Afghanistan.
“It doesn’t matter where we are serving, we are soldiers and we understand each other,” said Bulik. “It doesn’t matter where we are, [or where we are from], we have to work together as one team.
“It was an honor for me to see the family members here, to see the other side; it makes me proud to wear the uniform,” he added.
The Indiana National Guard Ceremonial Unit provided a traditional caisson including a flag-draped coffin and rider-less horse adorned with a pair of cavalry boots with spurs reversed in the stirrups and an Army Saber attached to the right side of the saddle, symbolizing fallen heroes that will ride no more.
The Battle Cruiser USS Indianapolis ship’s bell was also rung in memory of the fallen. The USS Indianapolis was torpedoed and sunk by a Japanese submarine during World War II after delivering a top-secret payload of nuclear weapons materials to the Pacific Theater. Almost 900 sailors survived the sinking, but only 317 survived the following four-and-a-half days at sea before rescue.
“I have been doing this for close to 40 years, and I can honestly say that this is the most touching ceremony I’ve been too. It’s overwhelming,” said Chiarelli. “It’s the kind of thing you would come to expect in the heartland of America.”
The ceremony concluded with a flyover, two A-10 Thunderbolts flown by the Indiana Air Guard’s 122nd Fighter Wing headquartered in Fort Wayne, Ind.
“This weekend, as we honor the memory of our fallen in the days ahead, I ask you to keep in your thoughts and prayers, the brave men and women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan and other locations across the world,” said Chiarelli. “They are doing an absolutely outstanding job, and we must continue to support them and all of their families.”
| Date Taken: | 05.31.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 06.05.2011 10:27 |
| Story ID: | 71622 |
| Location: | INDIANAPOLIS, IN, US |
| Web Views: | 78 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Army vice chief, Hoosiers pay homage to fallen heroes, by John Crosby, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT