‘Remember their names' was message at Fort Worth's annual Memorial Day service

Yahoo

27-05-2025

Families and friends gathered on a dreary Memorial Day morning at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Fort Worth to remember those who died while serving the U.S. Armed Forces.
United States flags were placed in every view, lining the path down cemetery roads. Attendees were robed in red, white and blue, as well as Army, Navy and Air Force attire. Weather tolerated the outdoor service as rain sprinkled minutes before 10 a.m., the start time, and stopped as all sang 'The Star Spangled Banner.'
The crowd gathered around the 'Doughboy statue,' which originally unveiled before the first ever Fort Worth Memorial Day Service in 1930. The statue represents a traditional World War I American infantry soldier and a modern American infantryman.
Mayor Mattie Parker, Tarrant County Judge Tim O'Hare and Capt. Beau Hufstetler, commander at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base in Fort Worth, all gave remarks, reminding the audience that they live in the 'best country, state and city in the world' because of the soldiers who put their lives at stake.
Jack Stowe, a 99-year-old U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, was honored for his bravery of enlisting in the military at only 15-years-old. After the Pearl Harbor Attack of 1941, Stowe felt a strong conviction to change his Texas birth certificate and fight for the country. He served at Halavo Seaplane Base in the Solomon Islands, eventually contributing to the allied victory of World War II. He was then honorably discharged at just 18-years-old.
The keynote speaker was Senior Master Sgt. Mary Staffeld from the United States Air Force Reserve. Staffeld shared stories of four soldiers who died so U.S. citizens can spend time with their friends and families today.
She asked the audience to take away two things.
'First, remember their names and speak of them. Second, while spending time at barbecues, picnics, whatever it is that you have planned for the rest of the day, be reminded of what Memorial Day is really all about: honoring those who have given their last full measure.'
United States Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. John Basilone was awarded a medal of honor for his extraordinary heroism in combat at Guadalcanal Solomon Islands in October 1942.
After receiving that honor, he asked to return to combat in 1945, the last leg of World War II.
'Basilone destroyed an enemy block house and led a Marine tank under fire before taking his last breath,' said Staffeld. 'Remember John Basilone.'
These heroic actions took place in the 1945 Battle of Iwo Jima. His bravery was recognized by a Navy Cross posthumously.
Combat medic, Gary Johnson, was a part of a Dustoff helicopter crew during the 20-year-long Vietnam War.
A Dustoff crew consisted of four members — two pilots, a medic and a crew chief — whose primary mission was to do rapid medical examinations and transport the wounded. Dustoff is an acronym for 'Dedicated Unhesitating Service to Our Fighting Forces.' These crews saved hundreds of lives during the Vietnam War, according to Texas Tech Vietnam Center.
Johnson died while saving other's lives with Dustoff crew 13, during his last mission before he was scheduled to return home.
Staff Sgt. Brian Burgess served in the Army's 'Screaming Eagles,' the 101st Airborne Division. He joined the Army after 9/11 to avenge the lives of those who were killed, though he did not personally know any of them.
Burgess served in Afghanistan in the Operation Strong Eagle Three in Kunar Province, a part of the 'No Slack' task force.
The Operation Strong mission was expected to last only three days and ended up being nine. Burgess was killed during this mission on March 29, 2000.
The heroic efforts of the task force were captured by ABC News in the film, 'The Hornet's Nest.'
Paul J. Stock had dreams of becoming a Navy pilot after watching Top Gun when he was 13-years-old.
After high school, he enlisted into the Navy and decided after a few years he wanted to pursue pilot school.
He was only 21-years-old, serving in active duty when he was involved in a vehicle accident that took his life. He had been chosen to pursue his dream of becoming a Navy pilot, though he never received the news that he was accepted into the school.
Stories like these four are only a glimpse of the hundreds of thousands who died while fighting for their nation's freedom.
All give some but only some give all.