For Memorial Day this year we had a cumulative memorial ceremony for the fourteen soldiers in the 4th Brigade Combat Team who have given their lives during this deployment.
Lasting about half an hour, the memorial included prayer,
scripture reading, special music, and a message from our brigade commander, COL Thomas James. As each name was read soldiers from the corresponding battalion placed a flag at the picture and rendered a salute.
After reading all of the names we observed one minute of silent reflection followed by firing of the volleys and playing of Taps.
I was honored to give the closing benediction prayer for the event. The service was well done and brought honor to the memories of our soldiers as well as to 4BCT, 3ID. It was a somber reminder that what we do is both dangerous and important.
Rock of the Marne.