Fort Novosel Honors Fallen Heroes in Memorial Day Ceremony
DOTHAN, Ala. (WDHN) — Fort Novosel paid their respects today to America’s fallen heroes, ensuring their legacies, sacrifices, and actions would always be remembered, and respected.
“Their sense of duty and commitment has inspired all of us for generations. Their sacrifice must never be forgotten,” says Maj. Gen. Michael C. McCurry.
Active duty service members stationed at the base, veterans, Gold Star families, and their loved ones gathered as military members laid a wreath and delivered remarks to observe Memorial Day.
In his remarks, Commanding General Major Gen. Michael McCurry reflects on the various heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice, from the battlegrounds on US soil to the shores of Normandy.
He says there are several ways to honor their legacies
“We can leverage [their sacrifices] as a positive example in our own lives. it should motivate us to be a little better, a little kinder, and for us soldiers to become highly trained, disciplined, fit warriors, and to transition as responsible and resilient members of our communities,” he says.
Chief Warrant Officer 4 Derrick Rodriguez was there to honor one of those heroes. He served in both Iraq and Afghanistan. His father, Master Sergeant Eloy, was killed in action during Operation Desert Storm in 1991.
On that day, when he was 10 years old, he became part of a Gold Star family.
Being the older sibling to both his brother and sister, he says he grew up fast after that day, one he will never forget.
Derrick says his mother left soon after and foster parents raised him.
Now, he and his wife, Breanne, are foster parents to other military children.
“We absolutely love the fact that we get to pass on our blessings to others and we’ve been blessed in so many aspects from it. Whether it’s helping the parents or helping the kids, however we can help, we’ll be there,” he says.
But he says that label is not about himself, but for people like his father and others who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect freedom.
Derrick says, “There’s lots of brothers and sisters you lose along the way as well while serving. So you never forget that growing up, you never forget that as you live life on a daily basis, and then you never forget that when you’re done and you continue to serve.”
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