1st Special Forces Group Veterans Day Ceremony at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, November 7, 2019.
Transcript
[Announcer] Ladies and gentlemen, we extend a warm welcome to our Gold Star and distinguished families. The English family, the Green family, the Maples family, the Ard family, the Griffin family, the McClintock family, the Elizalde family, and members of the Gold Star Wives of America Association. We would also like to welcome our distinguished visitors. The Mayor of Lakewood, Mayor Don Anderson, the Mayor of Yelm, Mayor J.W. Foster, the former Mayor of Dupont, Mayor Tamara Jenkins, the Consulate General of Japan and Seattle, Mr. Yoichiro Yamada, America’s 1st Corps Command Sergeant Major, Command Sergeant Major Shane Pospisil, and Brigadier General Retired Frank Toney. On behalf of the Commander of the 1st Special Forces Group Airborne, thank you for attending today’s ceremony honoring our veterans. Today’s ceremony we will also honor and recognize five fallen 1st Special Forces Group Soldiers. Ladies and gentlemen, at this time, please rise for the posting of the colors, the playing of the United States National Anthem, and the invocation by Chaplain Hesseling.
“The Star Spangled Banner”
And let us pray. Heavenly Father, we give You thanks for Your presence here this morning. You are the source of all blessing, the giver of all that is good. Today we honor our fallen and our veterans. Worthy men and women who have stepped forward when called upon to defend the freedoms that we cherish. We pray that You grant us fresh remembrance of those who have gone before us and a renewed perseverance in prayer for those who stand today in harm’s way. Bless us with strength and safety, be our protector, our redeemer, our shield, and our stronghold. In Your Holy Name we pray, amen.
Ladies and gentlemen, please be seated. The Commander of the 1st Special Forces Group Airborne, Colonel Owen Ray.
Wow. A good morning and welcome. This is an amazing outpouring of support across the board. It’s an awesome, cool morning, it’s not rainin’, it’s a good day to be here at 1st Special Forces Group. To the distinguished visitors, community leadership, leadership from JBLM, 1st Group Soldiers, families, and friends, and most importantly for today, eight Gold Star families. Eight are present here with us today. Can’t tell you how much that means to all of us for you to come from all over the United States to be here with us today. It is a very special day. Zhara English, Katie Maples, Ruth and Leslie Ard, Joanne Messer, Amy, Chip, and Michaela Griffin, as well as Charles and Diana Griffin, Alexander and Sarah McClintock, Abigail Simpson, Rachel Elizalde, Cindy McAllister, Tim Harrison, just thank you very, I can’t tell you how much we thank you for all bein’ here. We also have three members of the Gold Star Wives Association here with us, thank you very much for bein’ here with our Gold Star families. We also have partners here from the UK and from Taiwan. Two critical partners in what we do every day, whether it be in the INDOPACOM AOR, Iraq, Afghanistan, many of you stood with us, and your time tested partnership is critical to what we do, so, thank you for being here and sharing this with us today. And for all of you, thank you for spending, you know, this day with us to remember Veterans Day. Today we gather on the anniversary of the Armistice that ended the First World War. The War to End All Wars as ironically was known. On the 11th hour, the 11th day, the 11th month, the battlefields of war-torn Europe finally fell silent after four years of destruction. Finally came to an end. Unfortunately, that was short lived, as everybody in this formation and everybody standin’ here today fully knows. In the intervening years, we witnessed another World War, conflict in Korea, Vietnam, and the Middle East. But in every case, whenever freedom was threatened, men and women answered the nation’s call and risked everything. It is therefore fitting that we pause today to pay tribute to honor all military veterans. Here with each other to recognize the service from those that have spent almost 19 years in conflict, there’s many folks in uniform, and right back here bein’ retired from this Unit, that have spent over 19 years in straight conflict. The longest in American history. To those that recently joined, that just got here, and just joined Gold Platoon as of couple weeks ago, but they joined an Army still at war. To those that have made the ultimate sacrifice, and are memorialized by the 182 names that we have engraved on this wall. Today we remember all. Today, on this Veterans Day, we reflect on all your service. Everyone that raised their right hand to selflessly serve something greater than themselves, to defend freedom, and champion liberty, to free the oppressed. Soldiers of our 2nd and 3rd Battalion, along with 1st Battalion GSB, and pretty much every Unit in 1st Special Forces Group, has got somebody out in Afghanistan right now, fighting day in and day out, in harm’s way, defend the homeland. You know, I know these, y’know, I’ve spent some time in Afghanistan as many of you have, and I know that sometimes it’s frustrating, but I’ll tell you that, you know, those guys are out there takin’ the fight to the enemy so it doesn’t reach our homeland or our shores, and I thank them for that. Throughout their fighting to secure a better peace, they champion human dignity and give Afghanistan and the Afghani people a better way of life. Our UAS Platoon just returned, as of a couple days ago, from Syria. In a key mission to help protect US Forces on Retrograde, along with to hunt down terrorists, along with our Intelligence Professionals. They’re all had a little piece that Baghdadi hit, and thankfully he met his end. These missions are some of our nation’s most difficult problems. The most difficult, along with what we’re doin’ in Indo-Pacific. And that’s why we’re chosen to do it. It’s why this formation along with our other soft brothers in the Regiment, we’re chosen to do this. We’re chosen for our complex, most demanding, most difficult mission sets. What always amazes me, and what sets you all apart, is the fact that time and time again, you volunteer to put yourselves at risk to support your teammates, defend your nation, and your family. Myself, the CSM, the Command Group, we were just over at Walter Reed and we were visiting Sergeant Ian Ives who was tragically wounded in Afghanistan as many of you know. Y’know, before he was wounded, he flat refused to leave the ODA he was with to go to a safer position to actually supposed to cover the RSA Commander. General Austin. Y’know, in a safer spot in cobble. He refused to leave that ODA ’cause he wanted to stay there with his brothers to provide the support that they needed on the information side, which is critical in Afghanistan right now. And then we look at this morning, the CSM and I talked to the next Combat Cameramen that we’re sending out to replace him. And there is literally an OML, Order Merit List, for Public Affairs professionals to replace Ian Ives in Afghanistan even after he’s wounded. That’s the kind of formation that’s out here right now. That’s the Soldiers that we have. You look at all the Soldiers that won one out in Okinawa, y’know, you’re not gonna leave them outta the fight, they wanna be there to help as well, and so provided a lot of Soldiers to 2nd and 3rd Battalion out there to help Lieutenant Colonel John the task force. Those folks had to earn their right to get to Afghanistan. In other places, in other formations, in other armies, you have to order folks to go into harm’s way, not at 1st Special Forces Group. Not in the Special Forces Regiment, not even in USASOC. We literally, I think I’m on the OML, I think I’m further down the list, but I don’t know, the CSM probably is too, I mean, it’s just who we are. And it’s amazing. Just amazing. The people we have and the force that we have now. As I said earlier, there are 182 names on this wall, and today we’re gonna recognize five more heroes that put the nation, the mission, and others before themselves. Major Rick English, Sergeant First Class Shawn Green, Major Sean Maples, and most recently, Sergeant First Class Dustin Ard, and Sergeant First Class Jeremy Griffin. They’re all accomplished warriors in their own right, and represented what 1st Special Forces Group stands for. Many of you knew each and every one of these heroes as I did. They were relentless professionals who demonstrated excellence in everything we do. Today, we collectively mourn the loss of these great men, and their legacies will live on forever, in the lives of the families, and the hearts of the soldiers here who had the honor to serve alongside them. And we’ll continue to make sure not just the folks that knew them in service, but we carry down their legacy and their lineage to every 1st Special Forces Group Soldier, and to the next generation, and to them beyond the next. To the families, know that we’ll always be here for you, and we’ll honor their service, their legacy, and your family’s sacrifice on behalf of this great nation. You retain a permanent place in our hearts, and we’ll always be in the 1st Group family. May we always remember the purpose of this day, and the lasting impact it leaves on each person present here. Never forget. First in Asia, De Oppresso Liber.
Ladies and gentlemen, at this time we will recognize our recent fallen Soldiers from the 1st Special Forces Group with the unveiling of the names upon the Memorial Wall. (man shouting) Major Richard J. English. (bell dings) Major English of Columbus, Ohio, passed due to cancer on September 1st, 2014. Major English was assigned to 4th Battalion 1st Special Forces Group at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, as a Special Forces Detachment Commander. Major English’s awards include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal with three oak leaf clusters, and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, among many others. Major English is survived by his wife, Zhara Zwelling, and his mother, Grace. Sergeant First Class Shawn R. Green. (bell dings) Sergeant First Class Green of Auburn, California, passed due to natural causes on April 26th, 2018. Sergeant First Class Green was assigned to Charlie Company 1st Battalion 1st Special Forces Group in Okinawa, Japan, as a Senior Weapons Sergeant. Sergeant First Class Green’s awards include the Bronze Star Medal, and the Meritorious Service Medal, among many others. Sergeant First Class Green is survived by his son, Braydon Harrison, his wife, Jessica Green, and his mother, Cindy McAllister. Major Sean C. Maples. (bell dings) Major Maples of Toms River, New Jersey, passed due to cancer on October 14th, 2018. Major Maples was assigned to 3rd Battalion 1st Special Forces Group at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, as a Special Forces Detachment Commander. Major Maples’ awards include the Bronze Star Medal, and the Meritorious Service Medal, among many others. Major Maples is survived by his wife, Katie Maples, of Chugiak, Alaska, and their three children, Cillian, Nora, and Nessa. Sergeant First Class Dustin B. Ard. (bell dings) Sergeant First Class Ard of Idaho Falls, Idaho, passed on August 29th, 2019, from wounds sustained during combat operations in Zabul Province, Afghanistan. Sergeant First Class Ard was assigned to 2nd Battalion 1st Special Forces Group at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, as a Special Forces Communication Sergeant. Sergeant First Class Ard was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, and the Meritorious Service Medal. Sergeant First Class Ard is survived by his wife, Mary, their daughter, Reagan, an unborn son, his mother, Ruth, and his father, Bruce. Sergeant First Class Jeremy W. Griffin. (bell dings) Sergeant First Class Griffin of Clarksville, Tennessee, passed on September 16th, 2019, from wounds sustained during combat operations in Wardak Province, Afghanistan. Sergeant First Class Griffin was assigned to 3rd Battalion 1st Special Forces Group at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, as a Special Forces Communication Sergeant. Sergeant First Class Griffin was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, and the Meritorious Service Medal. Sergeant First Class Griffin is survived by his wife, Amy, his son, Chip, his daughter, Michaela, and his father and mother, Charles and Diana. Flowers are now being presented to the English family, to the Green family, to the Maples family, to the Ard family, to the Griffin family, to the McClintock family, to the Elizalde family, and the Gold Star Wives of America Association on behalf of 1st Special Forces Group. Ladies and gentlemen, please rise as we honor these soldiers today who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Please remain standing for the playing of “Amazing Grace”, the placing of the Memorial Wreath, the Special Forces Prayer, “The Ballad of the Green Berets”, and “The Army Song”.
“Amazing Grace”
And let us pray. Almighty God, who art the author of liberty, and the champion of the oppressed, hear our prayer. We, the men of Special Forces, acknowledge our dependence upon Thee in the preservation of human freedom. Go with us as we seek to defend the defenseless, and to free the enslaved. May we ever remember our nation, whose motto is “In God We Trust”, expects that we hall acquit ourselves with honor, that we may never bring shame upon our faith, our families, or our fellow men. Grant us wisdom from Thy mind, courage from Thine heart, strength from Thine arm, and protection by Thine hand. It is for Thee that we do battle, and to Thee belongs the victor’s crown. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
“The Ballad of the Green Berets”: ♪ Fighting soldiers from the sky ♪ ♪ Fearless men who jump and die ♪ ♪ Men who mean just what they say ♪ ♪ The brave men of the Green Beret ♪ ♪ Silver wings upon their chest ♪ ♪ These are men ♪ ♪ America’s best ♪ ♪ One hundred men we’ll test today ♪ ♪ But only three win the Green Beret ♪ ♪ They’re trained to live off nature’s land ♪ ♪ And trained in combat hand to hand ♪ ♪ Men who fight by night or day ♪ ♪ Courage lives in the Green Beret ♪ ♪ Silver wings upon their chest ♪ ♪ These are men ♪ ♪ America’s best ♪ ♪ One hundred men we’ll test today ♪ ♪ But only three win the Green Beret ♪ ♪ Back at home a young wife waits ♪ ♪ Her Green Beret has met his fate ♪ ♪ He has died for those oppressed ♪ ♪ Leaving her this last request ♪ ♪ Put silver wings on my son’s chest ♪ ♪ Make him one of America’s best ♪ ♪ He’ll be a man ♪ ♪ He’ll test one day ♪ ♪ Have him win the Green Beret ♪
De Oppresso Liber.
“The Army Song”: ♪ March along ♪ ♪ Sing our song ♪ ♪ With the Army of the free ♪ ♪ Count the brave ♪ ♪ Count the true ♪ ♪ Who have fought to victory ♪ ♪ We’re the Army ♪ ♪ And proud of our name ♪ ♪ We’re the Army ♪ ♪ And proudly proclaim ♪ ♪ First to fight for the right ♪ ♪ And to build the nation’s might ♪ ♪ And the Army goes rolling along ♪ ♪ Proud of all we have done ♪ ♪ Fighting ’til the battle’s won ♪ ♪ And the Army goes rolling along ♪ ♪ Then it’s hi hi hey ♪ ♪ The Army’s on its way ♪ ♪ Count off the cadence loud and strong ♪ ♪ For where e’er we go ♪ ♪ You will always know ♪ ♪ That the Army goes rolling along ♪
[Announcer] This concludes the formal portion of the ceremony. The Color Guard will remain at the wall for 10 minutes if anyone would like to take pictures. There will be a reception in the Regimental Mess Facility for Gold Star Families, 1st Special Forces Group Command Teams, and the Special Forces Association.