Photo By 1st Lt. Ashley Childress | Surviving family members assist with a flag raising ceremony during a survivor...... read more read more
Subscribe
FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa – Fort Indiantown Gap Survivor Outreach Services (SOS) honored surviving family members of fallen service members during a survivor recognition event here May 11.
The event honored and remembered 27 fallen Soldiers of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard and service members of every branch and component, with 72 surviving family members in attendance.
“You are forever part of our family,” said Maj. Gen. Anthony J. Carrelli, Pennsylvania’s adjutant general, to the families in attendance during a prayer breakfast. “Our goal is to continue the memory and remind everyone of why it was so important that they wore the uniform for the time that they did.”
Activities following the prayer breakfast included a tour of the Eastern Army National Guard Aviation Training Site (EAATS) with static displays of military vehicles, an Operator Driving Simulator, aviation mechanic displays and the Aviation Combined Arms Tactical Trainer (AVCATT).
“These events are absolutely amazing,” said Maria Wolverton, surviving family member of Pfc. Richard Wolverton. “It is a great day to meet the other survivor families and know that we are not forgotten.”
The families spent the evening at the adjutant general’s house on the grounds of Fort Indiantown Gap. Some of the festivities included kayaking on the lake, lawn games, a picnic-style dinner and a guest speaker.
Staff Sgt. Earl Granville, retired nine-year veteran of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard and a wounded warrior, told his compelling story and expressed the importance of such recognition events.
“Life is going to get heavy,” said Granville. “You do not have to carry that weight by yourselves, we have to rely on each other.”
Granville’s vehicle was struck by a roadside bomb, which resulted in the amputation of his left leg through the knee during Operation Enduring Freedom in 2008.
The night concluded with an honor and remembrance ceremony where the families launched waterborne luminaries onto the lake. The luminaries were crafted by the families during the prayer breakfast and included their hero’s name, special words and pictures.
“This has been a wonderful event,” said Sharon Van Fleet, mother of the late Master at Arms Seaman Brian Van Fleet. “We truly thank all of those that made it such a special event for the families.”
The first survivor recognition event was held at Fort Indiantown Gap in 2018 and coincided with the seventh annual March for the Fallen, an event to remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation. The March for the Fallen was inspired by the Bataan Death March event in White Sands, New Mexico.
More than 12 sponsors and contributors supported the event by providing food, gas cards, kayaks, billeting and other support activities.
“This event was made possible because of the contributors and sponsors,” said Martin Rafalko, Fort Indiantown Gap Survivor Outreach Services support coordinator. “They have helped bring the families together to remember their heroes.”
For information on the Gold Star family program, visit www.goldstarfamilyregistry.com
| Date Taken: | 05.11.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 05.15.2019 13:00 |
| Story ID: | 322472 |
| Location: | ANNVILLE, PA, US |
| Web Views: | 194 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Event honors surviving family members, by 1LT Ashley Childress, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT