Naval Station Guantanamo Bay: Fallen comrades honored at Cuzco Well Cemetery

Photo By Sgt. Spencer Rhodes | A member of the U.S. Naval Hospital Guantanamo Bay Color Guard ceremoniously unfolds the American Flag Monday at the Cuzco Well Memorial Service. The cemetery receives a new flag each year at the annual Memorial Day event.  

GUANTANAMO BAY , CUBA

05.29.2014

Story by Sgt. Spencer Rhodes 

Joint Task Force Guantanamo Public Affairs

Silence permeated through the crowd at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay’s Cuzco Well Cemetery Monday as GTMO residents gathered to honor those who have fallen in the line of duty.

The Cuzco Well Cemetery is special in its eclectic nationalities, from Sailors who died near the turn of the 20th century to foreign nationals, military spouses, and Cuban and Haitian exiles over the past 100 years. A solitary reverence is reserved for this place, which is only open to the public once a year, during the annual Memorial Day flag ceremony.

Navy Capt. John R. Nettleton, the Naval Station Guantanamo Bay commanding officer, greeted attendees and stated that everyone who was present that morning, to pay their respect to those that have fallen, were all distinguished guests in his book.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to remind everyone that all over the world on board our ships, on posts in foreign lands, and even in our own camps and along our 17 mile perimeter there are Sailors, Marines, Soldiers, Airmen and Coast Guardsman standing the watch so that we can take a moment to reflect on Memorial Day and take a well-deserved break,” said Nettleton.

Highlights of the ceremony were the color guard who replaced the flag with a reverent display of drill and ceremony. The GTMO Marine Security Station provided an equally precise and somber participation with a 21-gun salute.

“There is a lot of meaning for the United States Armed Forces here,” said Joint Task Force Guantanamo’s commanding officer, Rear Adm. Richard Butler. “It’s the site of some famous battles. It just has so much history here. So many service members have contributed to the significant history of Naval Station Guantanamo Bay.”

• Date Taken: 05.29.2014
• Date Posted: 05.29.2014 12:54
• Story ID: 131469
• Location: GUANTANAMO BAY , CU