Photo By Master Sgt. Douglas Roles | Guidon bearers cross the foot bridge at the 28th Infantry Division Shrine during a...... read more read more
Subscribe
Soldiers with the 28th Infantry Division and friends and family of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard unit continued a tradition of remembering the “Iron Division’s” fallen soldiers during the Annual Memorial Service held May 19, 2019. The gathering in Boalsburg, near State College, Pa., marked the 90th time for the ceremony which includes a processional of unit colors and the laying of wreaths.
Dr. Rory Cooper, civilian aide to the Secretary of the Army, Western Pennsylvania, and guest speaker, commended the division for its dedication to honoring those who have given their lives in defense of their nation.
“We must honor our commitment to never forget,” Cooper said. “If you belong to a family who has lost a service member, this day is very personal to you.”
Cooper noted the historical setting of the service. He reminded the audience that Memorial Day was first observed in Boalsburg during the Civil War. On what was then called Decoration Day, ladies from the small town would gather to decorate the graves of area soldiers killed in the war.
The division shrine is located on what was part of the former Boal estate. Theodore Boal raised a machine gun company that served in World War I as part of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. The current site was first used in 1919 by a group of division officers who gathered to dedicate a simple memorial. Other reunions followed and by 1931 the acreage had developed into a well-established shrine for the division.
Looking forward, Cooper said readiness is the Army’s top responsibility. He said the all-volunteer army is a credit to all Americans.
“Our Army is at its best when it works and fights as one team, treats everyone with respect and collaborates broadly and always does the right thing,” Cooper said.
He said the Army must continue to improve to become more lethal, capable and efficient. Cooper said the Army of 2028 will be ready to deploy, fight and win decisively against any adversary, anytime, anywhere, in a joint, multi-domain high-intensity conflict through the use of modern manned and unmanned ground vehicles and aircraft.
Maj. Gen. Andrew Schafer, 28th Infantry Division commander, and U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Anthony Carrelli, Adjutant General of Pennsylvania, also addressed the audience, which included Gold Star families, retired division soldiers and local residents.
“Your historic 28th Infantry Division is doing a great job supporting both the federal and state mission,” Schafer said. “You can be assured that we will remain always ready and always there as we approach our third century of service.
Schafer reported the division has units preparing for a training mission in Macedonia as well as combat capability training at Fort Polk, Va. this summer. Other division units continue to train as a homeland response force.
Carrelli thanked those in attendance for their help in continuing the tradition of the memorial service. He said the shrine represents generations of soldiers.
“It’s a privilege to be a part of this great day, when we honor generations of American soldiers who gave all they had to defend the freedom and liberty that we enjoy today.”
Carrelli asked Gold Star family members in attendance to stand and be recognized. Two of those family members were Danielle and Ron Clay. They attended in remembrance of her uncle, Sgt. 1st Class Randy McCaulley, who was killed March 23, 2006 in Afghanistan. The Clays, who were married last summer, traveled two hours, from Indiana, Pa. Danielle has attended twice before and brought Ron this year. Ron said he appreciated the professionalism of the service.
“It’s a really nice ceremony,” Danielle added. “This is a good way to remember my uncle.”
Scouts from Boy Scout Troops 237 (Orbisonia) and 1396 (Bavington) placed flowers at the division cemetery and stood guard there during the ceremony.
The formal ceremony was followed by a picnic under a pavilion on the grounds of the Pennsylvania Military Museum. Static displays of military equipment were available to the public prior to the ceremony.
| Date Taken: | 05.19.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 05.19.2019 19:28 |
| Story ID: | 323000 |
| Location: | PENNSYLVANIA, US |
| Web Views: | 312 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, 28th Infantry Division conducts 90th Annual Memorial Service at Boalsburg, by MSG Douglas Roles, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
