Families of Fallen Honored During ‘Time of Remembrance’

American Forces Press Service ^ | Melinda L. Larson

[SandRat]

WASHINGTON, May 20, 2007 – More than 3,100 families and friends of servicemembers lost in Iraq and Afghanistan gathered on the grounds of the Washington Monument today to remember their loved ones during a “Time of Remembrance” tribute.

Quincy Jallah, son of a fallen soldier, honors the presentation of colors during the “Time of Remembrance” ceremony today near the Washington Monument. Photo by Melinda L. Larson  
(Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

The event, in its second year, was initiated by the White House Commission on Remembrance, which by Congress in 2000. Its purpose is to encourage Americans to honor those who died for their country’s freedoms by giving something back to the country in their memory.

Family members from all 50 states attended and many traveled from as far away as Guam, Germany and India.

“The families here today paid the highest price a family can pay for freedom - the loss of a loved one who gave his or her life in service to our country,” R. James Nicholson, secretary of Veterans Affairs, said during his remarks. “Those of you here today and all of the families of fallen soldiers will still bear the mortal weight of the final victory.”

For Florence Jallah, whose husband, Army Command Sgt. Maj. Dennis Jallah Jr., served during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, words could not describe what the ceremony meant to her and her seven children.

“I can’t use words to describe how I feel because the feeling is so profound,” she said. “Watching my children here today, remembering their dad in his battle dress uniform or his class As, brings back the memories of him and the kids always asking him, ‘Daddy where are you going? When will you be back? Can we come?’”

Jallah’s 16-year-old son Quincy was touched that others cared about his father.

“This ceremony means other people care and value what soldiers have done for our country. That means a lot to me,” he said.

His father was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 10th Aviation Regiment, 10th Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), based at Fort Drum, N.Y. He died of cancer on March 28, 2004 after being medically evacuated from Afghanistan to Walter Reed Army Medical Center here in Washington.

While the ceremony’s focus centered on troops like Jallah, it also recognized families of fallen servicemembers dating back to 1776, including Kathryn Elise Wolgemuth, a niece of Nathan Hale; and Charles McGovern, whose two brothers, Army officers, died during the Korean War.

Immigrant servicemembers, Foreign Service officers and war correspondents also were recognized during the 90-minute ceremony.

ABC News White House correspondent Martha Raddatz, who has traveled to Iraq 12 times to cover the war, served as emcee.

A video presentation, “Charters of Freedom,” focused on the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

The Army’s highest-ranking officer, who was 21 when he lost his father during the Vietnam conflict, told the families he thinks of their loss every day.

“As the leader of some of the brave men and women we’re honoring today, you should know I carry with me the burden of their loss every day,” Army Gen. George W. Casey, Jr., Army Chief of Staff and a former commander of Multinational Force Iraq told the group. “Behind every fallen comrade, there’s a family that remains an important part of our community.”

Casey and senior leaders from the four other service branches then invited children of the fallen to the stage, where they saluted and consoled the children who had each received the Gold Medal of Remembrance.

Gen. James T. Conway, commandant of the Marine Corps, read the medal’s citation. “For outstanding courage and to remember the ultimate sacrifice of their parents, the United States of American is proud to salute the fallen children of America,” he said.

While the leaders met with the children, the U.S. Army Band and Chorus performed “On This Day.”

The ceremony came to a close with enlisted members from each branch ringing “The Spirit of the Liberty Bell,” an exact replica of the Liberty Bell.

“Taps,” played by a solo U.S. Army Band trumpeter, concluded the ceremony.

The White House Commission on Remembrance also is tasked to unite the country in the National Moment of Remembrance at 3 p.m. each Memorial Day.

Biographies:
Gen. George W. Casey, Jr., USA
Gen. James T. Conway, USMC
R. James Nicholson

Related Sites:
White House Commission on Remembrance

	With the names of fallen soldiers scrolled above him, U.S. Army Gen. George W. Casey, Jr., Army Chief of Staff, delivers his remarks during the “Time of Remembrance” ceremony, May 20. Photo by Melinda L. Larson   Download screen-resolution    Download high-resolution
	Under the watchful eye of U.S. Marine Corps Gen. James T. Conway, commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps, children of the fallen gather on the stage at the “Time of Remembrance” ceremony, May 20. Photo by Melinda L. Larson   Download screen-resolution    Download high-resolution
	U.S. Army Gen. George W. Casey, Jr., Army chief of staff, consoles a young girl during the “Time of Remembrance” ceremony, May 20. Photo by Melinda L. Larson   Download screen-resolution    Download high-resolution

[SandRat]

Remembering and Consoling.

[Flora McDonald]

Thank you for the ping SandRat. USMCpop was there today in memory of his son, Karl.

[SandRat]

Blessings to both USMCpop his son, Karl

[freema]

[Girlene]

Thanks for the ping, freema. What a nice tribute for the families of our fallen.

[USMCPOP]

I got a chance to meet up with quite a number of Gold Star family members that I knew from the MarineParents.com forum. I also met the Commandant of the Marine Corps, General James T. Conway, and Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Carlton W. Kent.

[lilycicero]

Bless these families. I have true sorrow for them. Why isn’t this thread packed with posts?
Heart breaking esp for the children.

[Flora McDonald]

I don’t know where you get the energy for all the things you do but I know the families of the Fallen Warriors appreciate it as well as the rest of us.

[SandRat]

Bless you, your family, and all the Gold Star family Members. May God give you all PEACE.

[freema]

Did you have a few words with the Commandant? Tell me yes.

Did Dyer go?

[USMCPOP]

“I don’t know where you get the energy for all the things you do but I know the families of the Fallen Warriors appreciate it as well as the rest of us.”

Because I’m a damned busybody like you, LOL :)

Word of warning, mine’s all nervous energy. I may reach critical mass one of these days and then, POOF, it won’t be pretty. But how far can 110 pounds of gristle spread anyway?

Hey, I’m glad to be able to do what I can, while I can do it. Nowadays, personal gain takes a distant second place to honor and committment. Usually, it’s not even such a choice, just going with the obviously right thing these days. DUH. Times may be sad, but things have become more simple for me. I’m glad for that.

Semper Fidelis,

Dick

[USMCPOP]

Freema,

I just introduced myself as LCpl. Linn’s Dad. Told him we’d lost him 2 years ago, and he was in the group before John Dyer’s son, Chris, who was lost in Barwana a few weeks later, along with so many of the 3/25 Marines of Ohio in that AAV. Same stomping grounds...

The Commandant did say that the region is safer for what they did, and I have to agree with that.

I forgot to ask if they had some new tactics where they could dress me up as a goat herder and turn me loose with an AK. I’d fit in well with the scruffy beard and all, especially if they dragged me behind a HumVee for a mile or two before turning me loose.

[freema]

What? You say you forgot to slip them my phone number?

I sure am proud of you and Karl. ♥