Topic: Arlington National Cemetery

Fort Campbell Soldiers lost at Gander remembered around the world

December 19, 2014 |

Fort Campbell, KY – Many gathered Friday to remember the 248 Soldiers – noncommissioned officers and officers from units across this division, the majority from 3rd Battalion of the 502nd Infantry Regiment – who lost their lives December 12th, 1985, in a plane crash at Gander, Newfoundland. The troops were returning home from a six-month peacekeeping mission in Sinai, Egypt, as part of the Multinational Force and Observers.

This year marks the 29th anniversary of that heartbreaking winter day. There were several memorial ceremonies Friday, not only at Fort Campbell, but across the world.

Col. Peter N. Benchoff and Command Sgt. Maj. John Brady pay tribute, to the 248 Soldiers who lost their lives in a plane crash in Gander, Newfoundland at the 29th Gander Memorial Ceremony. Twenty nine years ago this morning, Arrow Airlines flight 1285 took off from Gander Newfoundland in Canada with eight crew members and 248 Soldiers, noncommissioned officers, and officers from units across this division, the majority from 3rd Battalion of the 502nd Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division. The flight crashed immediately following takeoff and there were no survivors. The soldiers were returning home from a peace keeping mission in Sinai, Egypt. Strike Soldiers and Screaming Eagle families gather yearly in remembrance. (Sgt. 1st Class Eric Abendroth/U.S. Army)

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Shelbyville Tennessee Soldier missing for nearly 70 years Will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery on October 22nd, 2014

August 21, 2014 |

Private First Class Cecil Garris’ remains recovered in France

Nashville, TN – Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam and Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioner Many-Bears Grinder recognize the service and sacrifice of Private First Class Cecil E. Harris of Shelbyville, TN.

Harris was serving with the 179th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division on January 2nd, 1945 when his platoon was holding a defensive position in Dambach, France near the German border during World War II.

Private First Class Cecil E. Harris of Shelbyville, Tennessee to be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery.

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Army Secretary Honors Fallen at Arlington Commemoration

June 17, 2014 |

By Amaani Lyle, American Forces Press Service

Washington , DC – Army Secretary John M. McHugh praised the fallen from the nation’s wars during a commemoration of Arlington National Cemetery’s 150th anniversary in the cemetery’s amphitheater.

McHugh conveyed gratitude and historical context during the event, “Arlington at 150,” which featured a musical performance by “The President’s Own” U.S. Marine Band as well as participation from the U.S. Army “Old Guard” 3rd Infantry Regiment and historical vignettes depicting how conflicts have molded the nation.

The Secretary of the Army John McHugh addresses the audience during the 150th anniversary of the establishment of Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., June 15, 2014. (Spc. Michael Mulderick/U.S. Army)

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Memorial Day’s History

May 26, 2014 |

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Washington, D.C. –  On May 5th, 1868, three years after the Civil War ended, the head of an organization of Union veterans — the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) — established Decoration Day as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers. Maj. Gen. John A. Logan declared that Decoration Day should be observed on May 30th.

It is believed that date was chosen because flowers would be in bloom all over the country.

The first large observance was held that year at Arlington National Cemetery, across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C.

Memorial Day

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Clarksville Soldier Lawrence Woods to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery

March 14, 2014 |

Staff Sergeant Woods has been missing in action for 50 years

Nashville, TN – Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam and Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioner Many-Bears Grinder recognize the service and sacrifice of Staff Sergeant Lawrence Woods of Clarksville, TN.

Woods was among eight service members killed in a plane crash on October 24th, 1964 and the first Tennessean to be declared missing in action (MIA) leading up to the Vietnam War.

Woods was a member of the 5th Special Forces Group based out of Fort Campbell.

Staff Sergeant Lawrence Woods

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Civil Air Patrol seeks sponsors for wreaths on Veterans’ graves

December 8, 2013 |

Nashville, TN – Members of the Tennessee Wing, Civil Air Patrol, invite the public to sponsor remembrance wreaths  for placement on the graves of Veterans on December 14th at Veteran cemeteries across the state to honor those who served.

Sponsors can designate where the wreaths will be laid in their community. The Wing efforts coincide with tributes occurring simultaneously across the country during the annual Wreaths Across America Observance. «Read the rest of this article»

Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam proclaims POW/MIA Recognition Week

September 20, 2013 |

Nashville, TN – Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam and Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioner Many-Bears Grinder today announced September 20th-26th, 2013 as POW/MIA Recognition Week. Meanwhile, the United States Department of Defense announces the identification of Major Howard V. Andre, Jr. of Memphis who has been missing in action since July 8th, 1969.

Major Andre and Major James E. Sizemore of Illinois were on a night armed reconnaissance mission when their A-26A Invader aircraft crashed in Xiangkhoang Province, Laos during the Vietnam War. Both men died in the crash but their remains were unaccounted for until April 2013. The Air Force pilots will be returned to their families for burial with full military honors on September 23rd at Arlington National Cemetery. They were classified as missing in action for nearly 44 years.

Major Howard Andre (photo provided by State of Tennessee)

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Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear orders Flags to Half Staff on July 10th to honor fallen Fort Campbell Soldier

July 9, 2013 |

Frankfort, KY – Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear has directed that flags at all state office buildings be lowered to half-staff on Wednesday, July 10th, 2013 in honor of a Fort Campbell soldier who died while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

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History of Memorial Day

May 27, 2013 |

From the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Washington, D.C. – On May 5th, 1868, Three years after the Civil War ended, the head of an organization of Union veterans — the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) — established Decoration Day as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers. Maj. Gen. John A. Logan declared that Decoration Day should be observed on May 30th. It is believed that date was chosen because flowers would be in bloom all over the country.

The first large observance was held that year at Arlington National Cemetery, across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C.

US Flags at Veterans Headstones

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Wreaths Across America’ Honors Fallen Service Members

December 17, 2012 |

By Donna Miles, American Forces Press Service

Sheila Patton, traveled with her daughter from Fort Campbell, Ky., to Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia to participate in the “Wreaths Across America” tribute to fallen U.S. service members. (William Miles/DOD)

Arlington National Cemetery, VA – As thousands of volunteers fanned out here this weekend, placing holiday wreaths at the white headstones as part of the “Wreaths Across America” tribute, Sheila Patton kept vigil at one particular grave site.

Patton and her daughter stationed themselves at the grave of their son and brother, Army Staff Sgt. James R. Patton. Twenty-three-year-old “Jimmy” was serving his seventh overseas deployment since 9/11 with the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, when he was killed in a helicopter crash in Tikrit, Iraq, on April 18th, 2010.

Patton said she travels here from Fort Campbell, KY, as often as possible. Patton felt a special calling, she said, to participate in the largest single venue of the nationwide “Wreaths Across America” tribute.

“This was something very important to me,” she said. “I really wanted to be here, to be a part of all this, and to be able to honor Jimmy and all the others who are buried here.” «Read the rest of this article»

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