FORT EUSTIS, Va. –
U.S. Military personnel and Joint-Base Langley-Eustis community members honored fallen veterans at the Hampton National Cemetery during a Memorial Day ceremony, May 26
"This is our way of saying 'Thank you' to fallen Service members," said John Gately, Hampton Military Affairs Committee chairman. "The placing of wreaths beside gravestones signifies our continuous commitment as American citizens to honor and remember the sacrifices made by generations of fallen heroes in defense of our American way of life."
Participants joined together in a roll-call for veterans to stand who served during each conflict the Armed Forces have been involved with. Representatives from each branch of the military laid a ceremonial wreath for members of their respective branch of service.
"Today we remember and honor the American Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, Airmen and Coast Guardsmen - ordinary men and women who died while in service and those who faithfully served this great country," said U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Ross Ridge, Initial Military Training Center, Training and Doctrine Command deputy commanding general. "These men and women took an oath to protect our nation's interest and many, like those interred here at HNC and other cemeteries around the world, died in the fulfillment of that pledge."
Memorial Day, celebrated on the last Monday in May each year, grew from Decoration Day, a tradition which began to pay tribute those Service members who died during the Civil War. After World War I, the holiday changed to include Americans who died fighting in any war.
In traditional observance, the United States flag remains in the half-staff position until noon on Memorial Day, then it is raised for the remainder of the day, Gately said.
"That half-staff position is to remind us that more than a million men and women have given their lives in defense of this great land," he said. "At noon, their memory is raised by the living as we resolve not to let their sacrifice be in vain, but to rise up in their stead and continue the fight for liberty and justice for all."
U.S. Army Soldiers from Fort Eustis provided a rifle team firing squad to give a 3-volley salute followed by a playing of Taps by the U.S. Fleet Forces Band from Norfolk Naval Station. The ceremony ended with a moment of silence to remember the fallen, prisoners of war, and those missing in action and to honor those who have served in conflicts across the world.
"On this Memorial Day, we remember those we have lost not only for what they fought for, but for who they were - proud Americans guided by deep and abiding love for their families, for each other and for this country," said Ridge. "Our debt to them is one we can never fully repay, but we can honor their sacrifice and strive to be a people equal to their example. In the end, to remember is not enough. It's what you do with this gift that is important."