Posted on 05/29/2007 6:22:03 PM PDT by SandRat
FORT HUACHUCA — Memorial Day is a time dedicated to reflection, Maj. Gen. Barbara Fast said Monday.
It is a day when reflections change as each generation of Americans are called upon to preserve freedom, she told more than 600 people gathered in what she called “this serene and historic resting place.”
The general was talking about the Post Cemetery, where from the days of America’s westward expansion to today’s GIs have been laid to rest.
In the late 1800s the fort’s cemetery was not only a burial ground for those serving in the Army, it also was the final resting place for civilians, children and others with no military connection.
But it is for the GIs, not only soldiers, but sailors, airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen, who are buried in the cemetery for which Memorial Day is dedicated, the general said. “Only a few short years ago, Memorial Day represented a chance to reflect upon the countless sacrifices of generations before us,” said Fast, who commands the Intelligence Center and the fort.
But today, members of America’s armed forces are involved in war, she said.
“One must also consider and acknowledge the multitude of sacrifices laid down by today’s generation,” Fast remarked. “Today, we honor all who have died defending our great nation.”
That is the reason that every year, the post salutes those who have given their lives defending freedom, the general said.
“We are here today on this hallowed ground to recognize and appreciate the hundreds of veterans laid to rest in this solemn place of honor,” Fast noted.
Tombstones show history
Inscribed on most of the tombstones are the names, rank and branch of service of the man or woman, who served in America’s armed forces, lying in their small, but permanent piece of property.
Also carved into the headstones are the wars some fought in.
For some it is one war for others two and a few list three — World War II, Korea and Vietnam.
And, as the war on terrorism continues, Iraq is showing up on the simple white stones.
Fast emphasized that the day is to honor all who served and gave as Abraham Lincoln remarked at the dedication of the cemetery on the battlefield at Gettysburg, Pa., “their last full measure of devotion.”
It was after the Civil War that Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, was established by Gen. Joshua Logan, the commander of the Grand Army of the Republic.
As part of the fort’s tradition on the day set aside to remember the fallen, Logan’s General Order 11, calling for the establishment of May 30 to honor the dead from “the late great rebellion,” was read by Francis H.J. MacDonnell, the junior vice commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Arizona.
Later in the ceremony, 21-rifle shots rang out, the 24-mournful notes of “Taps,” were played by a lone bugler from the 36th U.S. Army Band and the mountains and canyons reverberated with the booming sounds of 21 cannon shots.
Buffalo Soldiers
But, before the sounds of a traditional military farewell were heard, Fast highlighted the Buffalo Soldiers, the blacks who served in a segregated Army after the Civil War through the beginning of the Korean War.
Fort Huachuca, she noted, was an installation where Buffalo Soldiers were assigned, adding for many black GIs western posts were their homes for most of their Army careers.
In 1913, the 10th Cavalry arrived on the fort and remained for nearly 20 years, the general said.
The 10th was part of Gen. John Pershing’s expedition into Mexico and during World War I the unit was given the mission of guarding the U.S.-Mexico Border.
One of those soldiers with the 10th was Trooper Mark Matthews, who was proud of his soldier service, especially while protecting the border, she said.
The fort was the main installation for training two infantry divisions, the 92nd and 93rd, both of which served in combat during World War II, the general said.
While it is hard to pick out a single Buffalo Soldier to be representative of all those who had that special name, Fast said within the grounds of the post cemetery there is one man worthy of recognition and that is Chaplain (Col.) Louis Augusts Carter.
Carter spiritual leader
She said during his career, he was the spiritual leader of the “four colored regiments in our Army,” all of which served on the fort.
He was 34-years-old when he was commissioned in 1910 and he arrived on Fort Huachuca in 1913, the general noted.
Listening to her was Louis O. Carter, the chaplain’s grandson.
Before the ceremony, the grandson walked over to his grandfather’s grave and knelt down in prayer.
“I was born on Fort Huachuca on Sept. 13, 1937,” the grandson said after the ceremony.
His place of birth was the second hospital built on the post, which today is the fort’s main finance office building.
“I wanted to go through it to see where I was born,” he said.
While that did not happen, Carter did have the opportunity to stay in Hazen House, which was the home of his grandfather, grandmother and parents.
His father also was a soldier, who retired as a lieutenant colonel.
The younger generation Carter served for a short time in the Navy before being medically discharged, as he suffered from asthma.
Now calling Reno, Nev., home, he said he is proud that his grandfather’s grave was chosen for this year’s honors.
He also is proud that American Legion Post 832 in El Paso, Texas, is named for his grandfather and that Chaplain Carter Street is part of Sierra Vista.
It was in 1941 that his grandfather died in Tucson, about a year after retiring.
“He loved the post,” Carter said.
Of the chaplain, Fast said, “he ensured the ideals of justice and freedom were upheld even in a remote location like Fort Huachuca.”
And, she noted Carter was the first chaplain to be promoted to colonel in the entire U.S. Army.
“As an Army chaplain, Col. Carter was renowned for his level of personal interaction with enlisted soldiers, and he attributed that to his success as a chaplain later in his life,” the general said. “Whether visiting hospitals, guard houses, barracks or training sites, Col. Carter engaged young soldiers, and he tirelessly worked to provide faith and comfort to those who needed it, regardless of rank or race.”
The chaplain’s grandson said he remembers as a youngster going with his grandfather, as the chaplain made his rounds on the fort.
Having the nickname Johnny, the grandson said “all the men called me that (Johnny).”
For Fast, the chaplain’s contributions to racial pride created an increased awareness and appreciation within the Army or the services of “African Americans in our armed forces.”
“The post cemetery is where hundreds of veterans — men and women — who have contributed to a free America are now at rest,” the general said.
Veterans important
The importance of veterans was succinctly described by former Army Chief of Staff Eric Shinseki who said: “Willingly and without hesitation, they demonstrate their profound and abiding devotion to this nation. On our behalf, they take risk, they go in harm’s way.
“They shed their blood, prepared to give their lives if necessary and some have paid that price to preserve peace and freedom and our way of life. They continue to make incredible contributions and even more incredible sacrifices.”
As the nation grieves its fallen veterans more are making the ultimate sacrifice, the general noted.
“Unfortunately, burials across our nation continue as grieving families lay to rest their service members killed in the ongoing wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. These families, and the heavy sacrifices they lay upon the altar of freedom, are in our thoughts and prayers as well today,” Fast said.
She, like other general officers, such as Brig. Gen. Carroll Pollett, who heads the Army’s Network Enterprise Technology Command, are called upon to represent the Army at a soldier’s funeral in Arizona and other places in the west.
The general also noted the recent passing of two former post senior commanders — Lt. Gen. Sidney T. Weinstein, who commanded the Intelligence Center and School and Maj. Gen. Gerd Grombacher, who was the senior Signal Corps officer on the fort, and who is buried at the post cemetery.
Equally as important were six other names Fast mentioned, soldiers with ties to the fort or Cochise County, who died during the Global War on Terrorism.
They were Chief Warrant Officer Chris Nason, 1st Sgt. Bobby Mendez, Sgt. Michael Merila, Cpl. Victor Langarica, Cpl. Casey Mellon and Spc. Collin Shockmel.
Herald/Review senior reporter Bill Hess can be reached at 515-4615 or by e-mail at bill.hess@svherald.com.
Remembering and honoring those that gave the ultimate sacrifice.
BTTT
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