Below, please find a special article written by Col. David Sutherland, the Middle East
Region Division Chief on the Joint Staff who served as the commander of the 3rd
Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, deployed to Diyala province,
Iraq from October 2006 to December 2007. It’s about remembering our Gold
Star families, a very important topic as we prepare to honor our fallen
Soldiers this Memorial Day weekend.
While
immense honor is paid to our men and women who have died in combat, I was
recently reminded of a void where we, as citizens of this brave nation, often
fall short.
A
mother of one of my fallen Soldiers recently expressed sadness at how
unfamiliar most American’s are with the concept of Gold Star families,
those who have lost loved ones in a time of war. They bravely remain at
home with a silent fear, constantly praying they never receive that dreaded knock
on their doors.
Unfortunately,
Memorial Day has been embedded with the myriad of holidays we often forget the
true meaning of and take for granted. Unless directly affected, it often
becomes a reason to sleep in, party or shop, rather than the day of remembrance
and tribute it was declared to be.
However,
this amazing American, like many Gold Star mothers before her, turned her
sacrifice and loss into inspiration for service—leaving a lucrative
position at a consulting firm to serve in a Contractor Team in Iraq.
Other Gold Star families have started non-profits focused on serving those that
protect and harness our freedom. They devote their lives to the service of our
service men and women, shipping supplies to schools in Iraq, forming support
groups for others mourning loss, or by becoming politically active to advocate
veterans’ causes.
Through
all of their difficulties, the dedication of our military families
remains. It is, after all, their support that allows us to remain the
greatest fighting force in the world. As our servicemembers raise their right
hand to enlist or re-enlist, our families are right there with them. These
families are the cornerstone of our strength – their sacrifices are
great.
I
recently had the honor of presenting General David Petraeus, U.S. Central
Command commander, with the No Greater Sacrifice Foundation’s Freedom
Award. During the ceremony, which honors the children of our fallen men
and women, there were many Gold Star families in attendance. It was an honor to
be amongst such strength and perseverance.
I
asked one of the spouses what she would want the world to know about her
husband, Staff Sgt. Donnie Dixon. With a moment of reflection, she boldly said,
“Donnie was not just known for his sacrifice in the Army, but also for
his family.
The
love for his wife and four children – Shabria, Donnie Jr., Ta'Mya, and
D'Andre, was his strength. “When we did our video teleconference [just
before he was killed], I remember asking him why was he back out on patrol
after [having been wounded in a recent suicide bombing]. His response was,
‘Ma, this is my job.’
“Right
then I knew that after serving 17 years in the military, his heart was much
bigger than I realized. Donnie not only lived his life Army Strong, but left us
with a smile that would last a lifetime.”
Donnie
and countless others unselfishly left their Gold Star families behind to
continue the struggle in their absence. These families have lost
their father, brother, sister, mother, son, daughter and the love of their
lives while serving a cause far greater than most can imagine.
As
I reflect on the meaning of Memorial Day, I humbly honor those members of the
military I had the pleasure of serving with, most importantly my fallen and
wounded Soldiers, who fought as true warriors and ultimately paid the greatest
sacrifice. They are my heroes – their sacrifices are great.
Today,
extensive security tasks remain before us as we achieve our objectives in Iraq,
Afghanistan and Pakistan, defeat the al Qaeda network, and build greater
partnership capacity. We execute this mission with the support of a great cadre
of Veterans looking forward to a Middle East region of secure, stable,
independent, peaceful and responsibly governed states, where the freedom and
dignity of the peoples of the region are protected.
So
this Memorial Day I ask you to join me. Recommit yourselves to not only
remember our fallen service members, but the other half of our fallen who
quietly serve, and often continue serving on their Soldiers’ behalf
after their loved ones are gone. Never forget that this day is not only a
symbol of our Soldiers’ sacrifices, but the sacrifices of their families,
friends and comrades in arms.
Col. David Sutherland is Middle East Region Division
Chief on the Joint Staff and served as the commander of the 3rd Heavy Brigade
Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, deployed to Diyala province, Iraq from
October 2006 to December 2007.
