Fayetteville, N.C. -- U.S. Air Force Colonel Christopher Jensen, 18th Air Support Operations Group commander, spoke at the 9th annual Field of Honor event in downtown Fayetteville, N.C., May 21.
Jensen honored the 466 service members who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation's security and freedom since the horrific terrorist attacks of 9/11. The event is made possible through a special collaboration between the Downtown Alliance and the Airborne and Special Operations Museum Foundation, community members, military personnel and Gold Star families. Fayetteville's Field of Honor displayed hundreds of American flags flying gallantly on the parade grounds of the ASOM as a patriotic tribute to current service members, veterans, and the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice.
In his opening remarks, Downtown Alliance president, Tony Chavonne stated, "We gather here this morning, not only to celebrate, but to share in literally hundreds of stories of service and sacrifice reflected in the furrows of the American Flag. There is no more appropriate location than this soldier's sanctuary city, this military town and this hallowed ground where honor and sacrifice are celebrated each and every day."
Chavonne shared a piece of memory lane with audience members, narrating the strong relationship between our country's military and the city of Fayetteville. Chavonne recalled Fayetteville's unique presence in our Nation's independence from Britain, the U.S. Civil War, WWII, all the way to today, in our Nation's global fight against terrorism. "[These flags proudly wave] just a few miles away from Green Ramp, where we see our Nation's military depart and return from new places like Fallujah and Kandahar."
Though celebrating the sacrifices of all service members, this year's Field of Honor ceremony brought a special recognition to the 455 Soldiers and 11 Airmen of Fort Bragg who gave their lives in service to our country in the years following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. This year's Field of Honor mirrors nearly 300 fields across the United States- some known as Healing Fields. It is the hope that the sea of flags in front of the ASOM engenders hope, comfort and healing, by providing a positive image of patriotism for the community of Fayetteville as well as acknowledgment of scale of sacrifice each flag represents.
In his speech to the full auditorium, Jensen commented on the unceasing support of the Fayetteville community to its military neighbors and friends.
"Hands down, this community takes care of its military, unlike any other," stated Jensen. "No profession asks more from its members than the profession of arms. Today it is my distinct honor, to pay respect to the 11 Airmen who made the ultimate sacrifice and are represented here today in the Field of Honor. American Airmen have stood, and will continue to stand, shoulder to shoulder with our brothers and sisters in arms on the battlefield and the skies above."
During the ceremony, special attention was brought to 10 Gold Star honorees, who gave their life in the midst of our global war against terrorism. Each honoree's story was shared; where they came from, where they served, where they made their greatest sacrifice and who lives on to share their story. Each of the 10 flags, later being added to the sea of red, white and blue.
"Today on this beautiful field, we see these flags," said Brig. Gen. Richard Clarke, 82nd Airborne commander. "We realize the sacrifice and cost. To the Gold-Star families here, most of all, we honor you. For you buried a burden the rest of us cannot really comprehend. We are so thankful for the support of all the service members who allow us to carry out our mission and we are grateful to the Gold-Star families who are carrying your service member's stories. These stories must be heard, remembered and honored."
The Field of Honor will continue on display until June 24. For more information, please visit, http://www.asomf.org/