Maj. Gen. Ryan F. Gonsalves, commanding general, 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson, addresses Gold Star Family members, service members and friends during the Mountain Post Warrior Ceremony May 26, 2016, at Fort Carson’s Kit Carson Memorial Park near Gate 1. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Diandra J. Harrell)
By Staff Sgt. Diandra J. Harrell
4th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office
Service members, Families and friends gathered to pay tribute to the 395 Fort Carson Soldiers who paid the ultimate sacrifice during the Mountain Post Warrior Memorial Ceremony May 26, 2016.
Maj. Gen. Ryan F. Gonsalves, commanding general, 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson, addressed the importance of Memorial Day and its significance to those who lost loved ones.
“Memorial Day’s precursor, known as Decoration Day, was established over 150 years ago as a time for Americans to decorate the graves of Civil War veterans with fresh flowers as a tribute to their service and the tremendous price paid to preserve the Union,” said Gonsalves.
Fort Carson has carried on this tradition since 2004 at the Kit Carson Memorial Park near Gate 1, where the names of the fallen heroes are etched in stone.
“These 395 Soldiers selflessly volunteered to serve their country in a time of conflict,” Gonsalves said. “They were steadfast in their duties and loyal to their country, units and brothers and sisters in arms.
“These heroes are a reminder for all of us that the cost of our freedom is high,” he said. “Their sacrifices will always be remembered by their fellow Soldiers and a grateful nation.”
Command Sgt. Maj. Michael A. Crosby, 4th Inf. Div. and Fort Carson, joined Gonsalves in placing a wreath in front of the Mountain Post Warrior Memorial to recognize the Fort Carson Soldiers who died during U.S. military operations since 2001.
Following the ceremony, Soldiers, Family members and distinguished guests took the opportunity to approach the memorial stones and pay their respects to lost loved ones.
Gold Star Family member Leah Reed made a rubbing of her Soldier’s name from one of the memorial stones.
“This is the first time I attended one of these ceremonies after my first husband’s death; it was very hard for me,” Reed explained. “This year it was much easier, and I can say that I really appreciate what you all do for the fallen.”
These service members served in formations from squad to brigade and gave their lives in Al Fallujah, Najaf and Baghdad, Iraq, to Bagram, Kalagush and Sarkowi, Afghanistan, Gonsalves said. They displayed courage, selflessness and an unmatched determination that inspired their comrades to complete the mission and served as a reminder for generations to come.
“The names engraved on these humble stones hold the story of a life of an American Soldier and, like the generations before them that bore the burden of sacrifice in defense of our freedom, their permanent imprint on their units, their Families and our lives hold a heritage of courage, generosity and acclaim,” he said.