Photo By Staff Sgt. Erik Warren | Col. Cameron Cantlon (left) and Command Sgt. Maj. Roger Heinz, the 3rd Cavalry...... read more read more
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FORT HOOD, Texas - Soldiers, veterans and families gathered for the unveiling of the newest additions to the 3rd Cavalry Regiment Operation Enduring Freedom Memorial during a dedication ceremony held here Monday.
During the “Brave Rifles” most recent deployment to Afghanistan, five Soldiers gave their lives in service to their country.
Sgt. 1st Class Ramon Morris, Sgt. 1st Class Samuel Hairston, Sgt. Christopher Mulalley, Spc. Wyatt Martin, and Spc. Brian Arsenault all made the ultimate sacrifice during the last months of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Their names were forever engraved in a marble stone, as they were added to the list of 154 fallen Troopers from 3rd CR.
While many dignitaries attended the ceremony, the front seat made of marble was reserved for Families of the fallen. Christina Strange, Sgt 1st Class Morris’s fiancé, sat with many supporters during the unveiling of her fallen hero’s name.
“I usually like to bring our daughter to these events,” said Christina, about their 4-year-old daughter, Ariana, who was back at home at Christina’s duty station at Fairbanks, Alaska.
Christina said she felt the regiment and their families have been incredibly supportive throughout her ordeal.
“This event needs to be appreciated to keep his legacy alive and keep him remembered,” she said.
Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Harvey Reed from the 3rd Cavalry Regiment Association spearheaded the project to honor these veterans.
“We had overwhelming support from the entire association in getting this project completed,” said Reed. “We had planned on getting this project done in six months, but it only took three.”
The 75th commander of 3rd CR, Col. Cameron Cantlon, was the keynote speaker for the event.
“No ceremony has struck me as deeply as this one,” said Cantlon.
Cantlon’s speech honored the Families of all the Soldiers whose names were engraved on the monument. He also discussed each of the contributions the fallen heroes made to the Global War on Terror.
The memorial was first constructed at Fort Carson, Colorado where the regiment was formerly stationed. Maj. Gen. Bills was the commander of 3rd CR in 2007 when the monument was moved to its current home at Fort Hood.
“The association and the friends of the regiment have taken on a huge task by moving and updating this monument,” said Bills.“Many different generations of the 3rd Cav have added pieces to it. My wife designed the stone with the ‘bug’ [3rd Cavalry Regiment unit crest] in the center of the memorial.”
The current senior enlisted adviser of 3rd CR, Command Sgt. Maj. Roger Heinze, played an integral role in the ceremony, laying a wreath at the new addition.
“While this doesn’t stop the pain from losing these Soldiers, it does close this chapter of the 3rd Cav’s history,” said Heinze.
| Date Taken: | 08.12.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 08.12.2015 13:18 |
| Story ID: | 172934 |
| Location: | FORT HOOD, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 50 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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