29- Memorial Day ceremony honors fallen Combat Infantrymen [6:38m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

To those who gave “their last full measure of devotion” and placed themselves in harm’s way to fight our enemies–but whose lives were taken away by the hostile actions of our enemies–we pay them tribute, along with those who did survive and came back home alive. We did this as a team on Memorial Day, 25 May 2009, at the Cook-Walden Capital Parks Cemetery in Pflugerville, Texas, during the Memorial Day Celebration ceremony.

In this audio episode of the Southern Chapter H21, Austin, Texas group of the Combat Infantrymen’s Association, we briefly summarize the events of this ceremony, in which we especially give honor to the fallen combat infantrymen who earned their CIBs–even though many of them would never live to be recognized for their service, or to receive it.

In this ceremony, a surprising element–which ended up being a nice coincidence–was that the politicians usually invited to attend and read their proclamations and give their speeches–were not in attendance (there was a type of “filibuster” raging on the Texas State Representatives floor at the time).

But this led to the total time of the hundreds who had gathered there to be more meaningful, as the entire content of the day was dedicated to those who had fallen.

Amidst the memorial services, the placing of the wreaths in front of a pair of jungle boots, helmet and rifle staked in the ground with a bayonet (i.e., symbol of a fallen infantryman) marked the highlight of the day.

The Combat Infantrymen’s Association, H21 Southern Chapter in Austin, Texas–led by Commander Bobby Briscoe–marched together in uniform and solemn seriousness to place the wreath of the CIB Association in honor of those who died. With Bobby Briscoe were Howard Cooper, John Torres and Tony Martinez.

In addition, two of the CIB members (Fred Castaneda and newest member, Duane Williams) were participating on behalf of their beloved 82nd Airborne Division Association. Both had been paratroopers during their active duty with the 82nd Airborne Division (also: you may remember that Duane Williams earned his CIB by being one of those who made a nighttime parachute combat jump into Panama). Along with their fellow paratrooper, Matt Rayson, Duane and Fred placed the wreath of the 82nd Airborne Division Association during the ceremony (by the way, the inscription on the wreath lists the number of KIA, MIA and WIA casualties for all 92 airborne operations over 65 years in all the conflicts since WWII).

It is also fitting that the musical piece Taps end this podcast, as it followed the release of the doves and the 21-gun salute given by the Travis County Council VFW Honor Guard at the ceremony.

For those who died in their military service to the U.S. , we salute them and grieve with their families–for we will never forget that this is, indeed, the ultimate sacrifice. . .a sacrifice from which we, the living, benefit.

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