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Fairchild honors fallen veterans

  • Published
  • By By: Senior Airman Ryan Lackey
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  The grounds were wrapped in a gentle blanket of fresh snow, with the scent of pine and a somber moment of silence in the air as dozens of military and civilian attendees took part in an annual wreath laying ceremony to honor fallen service members at the Fort George Wright Cemetery, Washington, Dec. 16, 2017.

Fairchild Air Force Base, in partnership with the Wreathes Across America nonprofit organization, placed more than 100 donated wreathes upon the grave markers in the cemetery.

“Thank you, everyone, for braving the cold and snow to join me in honoring these fallen veterans,” said Col. Ryan Samuelson, 92nd Air Refueling Wing commander. “This is an opportunity for us to pay respect to those who died serving our nation and acknowledge the immense debt we owe them and loved ones they left behind.”

The grounds were bordered by members of the Fairchild Honor Guard, who also rendered a three-rifle volley and played taps as a part of traditional military honors provided to fallen service members.

“These grounds are maintained and protected by Fairchild,” Samuelson said. “We take pride in showing our commitment to those who served before us and to our community.”

The annual tradition got its start in 1992 at the Arlington National Cemetery and today has spread to all 50 states and beyond, practiced by all military service branches to fulfil the mission of, “Remember, Honor, Teach” about America’s fallen heroes and the stories they had.

“It’s said that a person dies twice,” said Master Sgt. Stephanie Horn, 92nd Force Support Squadron Airman Leadership School commandant. “Once physically, and the second time when their name is no longer spoken. Let nobody here be forgotten as we lay wreathes today; say their names and remember them.”