Among the trees: Airmen pay tribute to fallen comrades

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jarad A. Denton
  • 501st Combat Support Wing
BROOKWOOD, United Kingdom --  It was quiet; the sort of peaceful quiet broken only by the occasional wisp of wind that floated on the air like a sigh from Heaven.

"It couldn't have been a more beautiful day," remarked U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Christopher Bence, 3rd Air Force vice commander, as he looked skyward at the banks of fleecy clouds and bright sun that shone over the American Military Cemetery at Brookwood, United Kingdom, May 25.

He walked past rows of glistening white crosses - the final resting places of 468 United States service members who gave their last full measure of devotion during the First World War. Now, 100 years from the onset of that war, Bence, along with Airmen from the 422nd Air Base Group and Soldiers from the British Army Training Centre Pirbright, stood in meditation as those sacrifices were immortalized.

"Memorial Day is a solemn time of remembrance for all Americans," Bence said. "It's a day of reflection on those who died in conflicts past and present."

As the centennial anniversary of what was to be the war to end all wars fast approaches, Bence said he found himself calling to mind the struggle, loss of life and complete devastation caused by the global conflict.

"Families were forever changed," he remarked. "History records how the bravery of our two countries was united in that common struggle. Our two countries have endured much together during the past 100 years - side by side during two great World Wars, supporting and reassuring one another during the Cold War, and defending each other again and again in the fight against terrorism."

Bence said this common bond continues to grow through the defense of democratic principles between two great nations. Two nations that paused for the briefest of moments at a quiet cemetery in Brookwood, to honor those who gave their lives for their country and reflect upon the nobility of their sacrifice.

"In some respect, World War I marked the origins of what we would come to know as the 'special relationship,'" said Elizabeth Dibble, Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in London. "It was the first time that American and British forces had fought together on such a scale. Regrettably, of course, it was not to be the last."

The anniversary of World War I is not the only somber milestone remembered this year. June 6, 2014 will mark 70 years since thousands of Allied troops stormed the beaches of Normandy, France - beginning a major offensive against the Nazi war machine.

As a measure of unwavering respect, two veterans of D-Day stood, smoothed their uniforms and slowly made their way toward the Chapel overlooking the cemetery.

"Today we remember and honor all those sons and daughters of America," Dibble continued. "The selfless, patriotic men and women who gave up their hopes and dreams that we could live ours."

The men paused as age and memory seemed to weigh their footsteps. Together, they reached the Chapel steps and placed a small poppy wreath before rendering a salute to the brothers they left behind on the blood stained beaches of Normandy.

"The Chapel serves as hope and provides the opportunity for us to reflect on those lost at sea, in the air and on land," said Bence. "We also reflect on the 563 Soldiers and Sailors missing in action, either on land or at sea, who are memorialized here in the Chapel."

Among the names inscribed on the walls inside the Chapel is U.S. Navy Gunner's Mate 1st Class Osmond Ingram, the only Medal of Honor recipient immortalized at Brookwood. While serving aboard the USS Cassin, Oct. 15, 1917, Ingram sighted an enemy torpedo speeding toward the ship. Realizing the torpedo might strike the area of the ship containing the depth charges, Ingram ran to release the payload. Sadly, he was too late. The torpedo struck the ship, exploded the depth charges and killed Ingram. He was the first enlisted Sailor to be killed during World War I.

"He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, our highest honor in the United States," said Bence. "His selfless actions and bravery live on forever within these walls."

Laying his own wreath on behalf of a grateful nation, Bence paused; the wind picked up again as he rendered a ceremonial salute to his fallen comrades. As he turned from the Chapel steps the gentle breeze followed and seemed to carry with it the words of the Kohima Epitaph.

"When you go home tell them of us and say, for your tomorrow, we gave our today."