Posted on 05/29/2011 7:59:28 PM PDT by antiRepublicrat
FORT BRAGG, N.C. (USASOC News Service, May 27, 2011) — The United States Army Special Operations Command paid tribute to fallen comrades killed in combat during the past year with a somber ceremony at Meadows Memorial Plaza, May 26.
The ceremony was the culmination of a full day all-star treatment for the Gold Star families of 30 Army Special Operation Soldiers killed during combat operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Lt. Gen. John F. Mulholland Jr., Commanding General, USASOC, addressed an audience of more than 500 fellow Soldiers, family members, friends and special guests.
“We are here to honor a select few men who made the choice to honor a different path,” Mulholland said. “Their sacrifice is something that we will never forget.”
Approximately 250 family members of the fallen warriors traveled from across the country to participate in the ceremony held on the Meadows Memorial Plaza. Following the unveiling of the personalized nameplates, family members, servicemembers and friends celebrated the life and military service of their loved ones as they approached the wall to place roses at its base and touch the engraved legacy of courage and selfless sacrifice of their Soldier.
Mulholland said that the families are important to the Soldiers and that we can never fully feel that exceptional lost that they have endured. However, we have a sense of it through the comradeship that was forged as only Soldiers can. Among the distinguished guests in attendance were former presidential candidate and staunch supporter of Special Forces H. Ross Perot. Jr.; famed actor and patron of military families, Gary Sinise, and a host of active and retired flag officers and local dignitaries.
(Excerpt) Read more at soc.mil ...
Pakistan...
They usually don’t acknowledge ground combat in Pakistan. In fact, this is the first I’ve seen it officially mentioned, not counting the UBL raid.
One of our friends was KIA in Iraq in 2005. His widow is my best friend and my husband was good friends with him...they served in Ranger Regiment together. Perot does a lot for SOF families and I have heard from SOF sources he funds a brain injury rehab in Texas that my husband attended for rehab (I haven’t been able to confirm that though). Say what you want about his politics, but he does a lot for SOF and families. Here’s a link to a bio about my friend’s husband.
http://www.soc.mil/Memorial%20Wall/Bios/Langmack_Steven.pdf
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.