Team Dover supports Dover community's remembrance of fallen heroes

  • Published
  • By Susan Walls
  • 436th AW Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  More than 150 community residents, including nearly 40 members from the American Legion motorcycle riders, Walter L. Fox Post 2, met at the World War II Memorial Triangle in Dover on Dover on Monday to show their support and help the capital city officially commemorate the service of fallen American heroes who had passed away during the last year. 

The four-member Dover Team Honor Guard unit presented Colors to officially open the annual ceremony, along with Capt. (Chaplain) Denis Gueu, who delivered the invocation and thanked Wing leadership for their wisdom and guidance during today's trying times. 

Dover Mayor Carleton C. Carey Sr., extended heartfelt thanks to everyone who had gathered and introduced Col Steven B. Harrison, commander of the 436th Airlift Wing, who offered his keynote address at the same spot, that the ceremony has taken place for nearly 50 years. 

Colonel Harrison delivered poignant remarks first spoken by President Ronald Reagan in 1985, in that most of the people that have died in the defense of our country have faced a double loss. They lost the lives they were living and the lives they would've lived. 

"Most of these young men were never married, and won't get to be fathers or grandfathers," stated Colonel Harrison. "They gave up everything in defense of their country and for us." 

James Clark, Sergeant-at-Arms for the Delaware Veterans and Kin Endres, Commander of the American Legion, shared duties of reading the names of more than 200 deceased veterans from the Dover area. 

More than 20 organizations from throughout the area, presented floral tributes and saluted Old Glory, followed by Cpl. Chad Burnet, Dover Police, who played "Amazing Grace" on bagpipes. 

Jeanne Perrault of Dover, has been the President of the Air Force Association's Auxiliary for nearly 20 years and has been working with AFSA since the mid 1960's. Mrs. Perrault lost her husband, Master Sergeant Eugene "Spike" Perrault, nearly six years ago. "Spike served in the Air Force for 21 years. I continue my work in AFSA in tribute to him." 

Colonel Harrison's remarks included staggering statistics of the lives lost during our nation's wars. More than 1,320,000 lives were lost in World War I and World War II and more than 400,000 in Korea and Vietnam. He also noted that more than 25,000 Americans have been wounded or killed in action since the start of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq in 2003. 

"Our nation is again at war," said Colonel Harrison, "and our generation must rise to the challenge." "The heroes that have gone before us, have paid the ultimate sacrifice and all we can do is remember."