JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. –
The Fort Eustis Survivor Outreach Services hosted a ceremony unveiling the Wall of Remembrance at Fort Eustis, Virginia, March 13, 2015.
The wall, which took more than a year to design and create, aims to remember fallen U.S. Service members and their families. More than fifty picture frames now hang on the wall, each showing the face of a Service member who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
"We have been a part of these families' lives," said Mark Sowers, SOS financial counselor. "We wanted a way to showcase Service members' sacrifices for all who pass by."
The SOS program is an official U.S Army program designed to provide long-term support to surviving relatives of fallen Soldiers through the Gold Star Family program, who represent the fallen Soldier.
Before unveiling the wall, Maj. Gen. Ross Ridge, Initial Military Training Center of Excellence deputy commanding general, gave words of encouragement to the family members, and thanked them for their sacrifices and those of the Service member they represent.
"We celebrate their courage, selfless service, and duty to their country," said Ridge. "These men and women took an oath to protect our nation's interest, and died in fulfillment of that pledge. We remember and honor the Gold Star Family members here today who lost their loved ones to illness, injury and combat."
Three Gold Star family members helped unveil the wall, Judith Reynal, Mark Stets, and Paul Dumont. They unclipped the pins holding up the black velvet curtain hiding the picture frames behind it. The crowd clapped, cried and the room fell silent as the onlookers searched for a familiar face.
As the official ceremony concluded, family members walked over to the wall and looked, gently touched and took photos of their fallen Service member.
"Our focus with the SOS, is the families," said Sowers. "Our program is very special, we want to always show the families how important they are."
Ridge said that while the Service members were lost, their families will always remain a part of the military family.
"Words will never be enough to comfort their loss, but being here as a community, standing by them as we recognize and honor the tremendous sacrifice their loved ones made in defense of the freedoms we hold so dear," said Ridge. "Then maybe it demonstrates that we care, we are a community that is forever indebted to their Service members sacrifice."
The wall is on display inside of the 733rd Mission Support Group building, and is now available for viewing.