Sgt. Mark Matthews
Multi-National Division - Baghdad
CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq – A hero is defined as being a person of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities – also, as a person who, in the opinion of others, has heroic qualities or has performed a heroic act and is regarded as a model or ideal.
As the warm Baghdad sun rose higher in the clear blue sky, Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers gathered in front of the division's headquarters building to pay their respects and remember the heroes who paid the ultimate sacrifice for freedom during a Memorial Day ceremony May 26.
"Today is that one day out of the year we take time to remember our fallen and the sacrifices they made for the freedoms we share on a daily basis," said Command Sgt. Maj. John Gioia, a native of Buffalo, N.Y., who serves as the senior enlisted leader with MND-B and the 4th Infantry Division. "In this case, we take time today to memorialize 75 of our fallen comrades – it's a very special day."
For some, Memorial Day may mark the beginning of summer, a day off of work or just another Monday. For Soldiers however, the day means much more than that. It's a day to say thank you to the ones who gave everything.
"I think Soldiers who wear this uniform possess great moral courage and character," Gioia added. "It's not about going to barbeques and fireworks. It's about wearing this uniform and going into harm's way – and protecting our nation so that others can enjoy the freedoms we all share."
Gioia has personally attended every memorial ceremony for each MND-B Soldier who has fallen and said that each one feels like another piece of the fabric of his soul is taken away, and ceremonies like this remind him that it wasn't all for not.
Although ceremonies are held throughout the United States of America, conducting one in Iraq adds a sense of purpose and meaning for the heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
"I think it is important here, in Iraq, to honor Memorial Day because we are here to protect and provide security for the Iraqi people," said Lt. Col. Jim Carter, a Monroeville, Ala., native, who serves as the division chaplain for MND-B and the 4th Inf. Div. "It's important to remember that we are honoring not just our Soldiers, but we are also honoring our Iraqi brothers as we are here to support them and their land against the radical extremist-criminals who seek to take away our freedoms."
The day of remembrance has been a long standing tradition in the United States, and the 4th Inf. Div. commanding general reminded Soldiers that it isn't just the fallen Soldiers they honor today, but their Families as well.
"For over 104 years, Americans have gathered on Memorial Day. We do this to honor our fallen heroes, but we really gather to honor America's broken hearts – those who were killed in the cause for freedom and the Families who were left behind," said Maj. Gen. Jeffery Hammond, a native of Hattiesburg, Miss., who serves as the commanding general for MND-B and the 4th Inf. Div. "We honor their lives; we honor their sacrifices and the dream they died for – their children."
To conclude the commemoration, Gioia read the names of the 75 fallen heroes who paid the ultimate sacrifice. A 21-gun salute reverberated throughout the gathering before an honor guard cased the national colors. A bugler from the 4th Inf. Div. band played "Taps" to pay homage to the memories of the brave men and women of MND-B who gave their lives for freedom.
"Clearly, no one understands the meaning of Memorial Day more than (Soldiers)," Hammond said. "We see it; we feel it, and our generation has lived it."