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FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. – The United States Army Engineer
Regiment held a Soldier Memorial Tribute in the World War II
Chapel on Fort Leonard Wood's Engineer Memorial Grove April
18.
More than 22 family members attended the
ceremony, which paid tribute to 24 engineer soldiers who
died in combat during Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi
Freedom from April 2012 to April 2013.
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Brig. Gen. Peter DeLuca, U.S. Army Engineer School commandant, speaks during the Soldier memorial tribute in the World War II Chapel at Engineer Memorial Grove on Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, April 18, 2013. The memorial honored Soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in combat during Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. (U.S. Army photo by Michael Curtis)
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Brig. Gen. Peter “Duke” DeLuca, U.S. Army Engineer School
commandant, said it's important for the Engineer Regiment to
hold the memorial tribute to respect and honor the sacrifice
of these soldiers and their families.
“There are a
lot of ceremonies that the Army has already conducted to
render military honors and pay proper respects,” he said.
“So the question might arise, why one more?”
“Your Sappers
were in units around the Army and some of them served in
more than one unit,” he said. “In the end, of all the units
they served in, my home regiment and your Fallen Sapper's
home regiment, is the Army Engineer Regiment. The home of
the Army Engineer Regiment is here at Fort Leonard Wood,
Mo., and has been since 1995.”
“On behalf of the
Army Engineer Regiment, we will do everything in our power
to give the fullest meaning to your sacrifice so that it is
not in vain, so that it achieves safety and security for our
country, and prevents disasters and tragedies in the
future,” he said.
“Your soldier will be remembered
here forever,” he said.
The names of 24 engineer
soldiers were added to a Memorial Wall for Fallen Engineers
which was unveiled immediately after the Soldier Memorial
Tribute. The wall stands directly outside the World War II
Chapel in the Engineer Memorial Grove and ensures that
engineer soldiers will not be forgotten.
After the
unveiling, family members and fellow engineers were invited
to trace the names on the wall, which holds more than 350
names.
More photos available in frame below
By U.S. Army Marti Yoshida
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2013
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