Photo By Sgt. Aaron Berogan | Residents from the Village of Norridge, alongside local Armed Forces personnel,...... read more read more
NORRIDGE, Ill. – Brig. Gen. Frederick R. Maiocco, Jr., commanding general, 85th Support Command, joined the local Chicago-land military community and the Village of Norridge on May 24 for its 22nd annual Memorial Day commemoration there.
Participants from the Armed Forces included U.S. Marine color guard members from the 2nd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, based out of Chicago; U.S. Navy recruits from Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes Naval Base, which carried all 50 state flags and functioned as escorts for wreath layers; and the Army Reserve’s 85th Army Band. Maiocco participated as the keynote speaker for the ceremony.
During the ceremony Maiocco elaborated on the trials that service members experience during service to their nation.
“No one knows how ugly war can be nor is so desirous of peace than he who has seen battle,” said Maiocco. “We have all been touched by the ultimate sacrifice that these men and women have made in service to their country –Today I ask you to remember and to honor not just those who have gone before, but those who have not yet come back, those who are missing still today.”
During his remarks Maiocco recognized the fallen, as well as the first responders, and the sacrifices of the Gold Star families. Following remarks Maiocco administered the oath of enlistment for 23 future soldiers joining the U.S. Army.
“What a privilege to get to be here and administer your oath,” said Maiocco. “To those of you here today who are about to enter the largest brotherhood in the world, I want to say thank you and welcome. I’m very proud of you.”
Among those sworn in was Camila Giraldo, who had moved back to the United States three months ago, from Columbia, to join the Army.
“I want to start a legacy in my family. I just came here to the states for that,” said Giraldo. “I’m alone here, I don’t have family here. The Army is like that family.”
Giraldo stated that she felt proud that a general officer administered her oath of enlistment and regretted that her mother could not have been there to witness it.
Maiocco shared his thoughts on the opportunity to speak to the Village of Norridge and his reaction to the tribute established there for those who have fallen.
“What an incredible Memorial Day celebration (the citizens of Norridge) had,” Maiocco said. “The tribute they put together to honor our veterans, our Gold Star families, and the service members who have given their lives over the years is just second to none.”
| Date Taken: | 05.24.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 05.27.2015 15:06 |
| Story ID: | 164700 |
| Location: | NORRIDGE, IL, US |
| Web Views: | 34 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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