Photo By David Poe | American flags line the gravesides at the Fort Bliss National Cemetery on Memorial...... read more read more
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The Fort Bliss community, joined by troops, veterans, Gold Star families, and distinguished leaders, gathered May 26 at the Fort Bliss National Cemetery in El Paso, Texas, to observe Memorial Day. The solemn ceremony paid tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their nation.
Joined also by the Hon. Renard Johnson, El Paso’s mayor, and several distinguished guests for the ceremony, the keynote address was delivered by Lt. Col. Peter Lawall, deputy commanding officer of the 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade. Lawall's speech highlighted the enduring legacy of American service and looked ahead to the Army's upcoming 250th anniversary June 14.
"Today we honor two-and-a-half centuries defending this nation, our values, and our nation," Lawall stated, emphasizing the continuous call to serve since the country's infancy. "Generations of Americans and aspiring Americans answered the call to serve, both in the Army, and across our sister services. Ours is a hard-fought history full of great risk and great cost."
The Fort Bliss National Cemetery was established as a national cemetery in 1936, but has served as the Fort Bliss post cemetery since 1893 and has seen burials since as early as 1863. The site was one of only seven national cemeteries established between World War I and World War II. This expansion was crucial to accommodate the increasing veteran population and the diminishing burial space in existing national cemeteries after World War I.
Today, more than 69,000 individuals rest at the cemetery, with nearly 50,000 being military burials. Francisco Gonzalez, the cemetery director, expressed his appreciation for the strong turnout, noting it was no surprise to see the community unite in remembrance.
"I’m privileged to be with you this Memorial Day today to honor those heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice defending our country and our way of life," Gonzalez shared. "Your support for those who have died in service to our country shows that you understand and appreciate why our nation sets aside this day in order to remember, honor, and salute our fallen service members."
Reflecting on D-Day and the Cost of War
Just a week before the 81st anniversary of Operation Overlord, commonly known as D-Day, Gonzalez took a moment to reflect on this pivotal turning point of World War II. He encouraged the audience to observe a moment of silence for the lives lost.
"They sailed in nearly 7,000 boats, the biggest armada ever assembled, including more than 4,000 landing vessels," Gonzalez recounted. "D-Day is one of the most noteworthy days of sacrifice, overcoming impossible odds and displaying steadfast devotion to a noble cause. D-Day was far from the end of war in Europe, but with the success of that operation, the end was in sight."
Soldier participation was a cornerstone of the ceremony, showcasing a true team effort. Troops from Lawall's 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade performed the solemn 21-gun salute from the cemetery rostrum. Iron Soldiers from the 1st Armored Division color guard proudly paraded the colors, while the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment performed a ceremonial firing battery, a powerful tribute to all who served.
Gonzalez concluded his remarks by emphasizing the profound and lasting impact of war.
"The cost of war is immeasurable, and we can never repay the families who lost their loved ones to the horrors of war," he said. "The least we can do is memorialize those heroes with some solemn words, laying a wreath, and pausing in silence to pray for their souls."
| Date Taken: | 05.26.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 06.09.2025 11:33 |
| Story ID: | 500059 |
| Location: | EL PASO, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 34 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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