NATIONAL REMEMBRANCE OF IRAQI LIBERATION DAY &
IRAQ PEOPLE HONOR OUR FALLEN HEROES
AT ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

April 9, 2008

It was a beautiful spring day, blue sky, birds singing the type of day you want to spend with family. This day, April 9, 2008, we were surrounded by family at Arlington National Cemetery. Family who had lost heroes fighting the war on terror in Iraq and Aghanistan. Family who have heroes still serving our country. New family from Iraq who came to show their appreciation and share our heroes with us.

We waited quietly for the chimes to ring the quarterhour so we would begin our Wreath Laying Ceremony at Section 60 where most of the Iraq and Afghanistan fallen heroes lie at Arlington. Instead of quiet chimes we were shaken by the boom of cannons followed by the gun salute and taps for and Admiral that was being honored in the next section. For the families of the fallen it brought us all back to the moment when we heard the salute and taps for our own hero it brought us together as nothing could.

As part of the ceremony, I read what my son Dan wrote after his visit on March 6 to Arlington with General Alsodani. The General presented Dan with a plaque in honor of all of America's Fallen Heroes from the people of Iraq and it now is in the museum at Arlington National Cemetery. Dan wrote about the moment when the General leaned down and said to him that he lost his brother too. A moment in time that all will remember as shared pain, pride, love and honor. That is what April 9, 2008 is all about.

The ceremony continued with the reading of a letter "From the Front". It was a letter received by Blue Star Mother Mallie Murray from her son Captain Michael G. Murray, II. It spoke of the opportunity he was given to make a difference for the people of Iraq.

Brigadier General Ismael Alsodani, Iraq Defense Attache' spoke about the hope for the future that all those who are fighting the war on terror are providing for the people of Iraq, specially for the children.

Ambassador Samir Sumaida'ie took us further as he thanked us for our heroes' continued sacrifice for a people they do not know. He also shared with us his loss cousins, best friends. The Ambassador and the General sat among us as those who understand the pain of loss, the shared honor for our heroes both Iraqi and American, and the love a family shares with one another - and Hope for the future.

'We here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom.' When applied to Iraq, President Lincoln's words ring as true today as they did 145 years ago. I thank you for your time and your presence recognizing the sacrifice of those heroes resting here who paid the ultimate price.' said Major General Francis D. Vavala, USA, Adjutant General of Delaware and President of the Adjutant General Association of the United States

The Ambassador, BG Alsodani, MG Frank Vavala, and MG Richard Rowe, Commanding General Military District of Washington then laid a joint wreath honoring America's fallen heroes in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The choir from Anchorage Christian School who visit Arlington on their biennial tour to DC, and make a special stop in Section 60 to honor CW4 Chester Troxel whose children have been part of the choir. The choir led us in "My Country 'tis of Thee" and the "America the Beautiful".

Following the ceremony, the 125 families from across the nation enjoyed an Evening Serenade and Dinner hosted by Ambassador Sumaida'ie at the Ft. Myer Officers Club. Families United asked family members to share their heroes - these included honoring fallen heroes Captain Maria Ortiz by her fiance Juan Casiano, Corporal Dustin Derga by his father, Bob Derga, and Lance Corporal Phillip George by his father, Carson George. Chere Pedersen shared her pride in her son, Specialist Alastair Addie who had just set boots on the ground that morning in Kuwait on his way to Iraq for another tour. I shared with the families that General Alsodani's brother believed in the new Iraq and fought for it. His life was taken by an IED. Later the Ambassador spoke of his cousins and good friends who have given their lives for the new Iraq. This opened table discussion during dinner to sharing our heroes and their love for their country whether Iraq, America, the United Kingdom, or other nations represented by the many Defense Attache's in attendance we became family!

Following dinner, the Ambassador on behalf of the people of Iraq presented the families with a glass plaque. It's inscription reads:

"On behalf of the Government and People of Iraq,
I have the great honor and distinct privilege
to present this token of
DEEP GRATITUDE
for your hero's sacrifice
and your personal loss.

(Signed) Sumaidaie
Samir S.M. Sumaida'ie
Ambassador of Iraq to the United States of America

National Observance in Remembrance of Iraq Liberation Day
Fort Myer, Arlington, Virginia
9 April 2008"

Photos courtesy of Carson George can be viewed at www.designedphotos.com

Families United Photo Gallery