Paying tribute
By Rochelle Moore
Published in News on May 31, 2016 1:46 PM
Full Size
News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Chief Master Sgt. Shane Wagner, left, Gold Star Mother Isabel Carrasquillo, and Bill Graham walk to present a wreath Monday afternoon during the National Moment of Silence ceremony at the Wayne County Veterans Memorial.
Full Size
News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Chief Master Sgt. Shane Wagner, command chief for the 4th Fighter Wing, delivers the keynote address Monday morning during the Memorial Day Ceremony at Wayne Community College.
Ronald Carrasquillo remembers the day he learned that his twin brother was killed by an improvised explosive device on the main supply route in Iraq.
It's been 12 years, but Carrasquillo continues to feel the loss and was overtaken by grief during the annual Wayne County Memorial Day Ceremony, held Monday in Moffatt Auditorium at Wayne Community College.
His mother, Isabel Carrasquillo -- a Gold Star Mother -- participated in the ceremony by the placing of the wreath, a tradition that honors the fallen in combat.
"This is a hard thing I have to work through, especially on Memorial Day," she said. "I thank God that he left one alive."
Isabel Carrasquillo had two sons serving in Iraq in 2004.
Ronald, a member of the Army Reserve at the time, remembers talking with his brother just before he was killed in action.
"When I spoke to him, he was asking me questions about Iraq, how it was, and he talked about what he wanted to do when he came home," he said.
Army Spc. Jocelyn Carrasquillo was 28 years old when his vehicle was struck by an IED, in Baghdad, Iraq, on March 13, 2004. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 120th Infantry Regiment, Army National Guard, from Wilmington.
His older brother, Luis Carrasquillo Jr., said Memorial Day had a different meaning after 2004. But years later, the day is more about all the men and women who have lost their lives in service to the United States.
"Memorial Day for this family has changed," said Luis Carrasquillo Jr. "Today, was about all of those who have fallen before. It's more important to honor all those who served."
More than 300 people, including service men and women, filled the college auditorium to remember the fallen. The event, sponsored by the Wayne County Veterans and Patriots Coalition, included several videos that offered a real-life glimpse into the battlefield and the mourning experienced by soldiers, wives, mothers and children following the death of soldiers who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
One video displayed pictures of Wayne County veterans, including Carrasquillo. The photos were a new addition to the annual ceremony, said Melissa Watlins, vice president of the Wayne County Veterans and Patriots Coalition.
"Those that have served and are still serving today stand on the shoulders of these American heroes ..." said Chief Master Sgt. Shane Wagner, command chief of the 4th Fighter Wing at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, during his keynote address.
"Memorial Day is a time for our nation to reflect, to remember and to honor the airmen, soldiers, sailors and marines who made the ultimate sacrifice defending our great nation.
"For almost 250 years, men and women in uniform have fought and died to preserve our way of life. The freedom, liberty and strength of our nation exists because of their courage, selfless serve, professionalism and commitment to a larger cause."
Wagner said he and other military men and women are always ready to serve and would willingly lay down their lives for others. On Memorial Day, a holiday filled with parades, cookouts and trips to the beach, he said the greatest gift anyone can give to an American soldier is to "simply remember."
"You see ladies and gentlemen, we do not voluntarily serve this great nation in hoping to lay down our lives," Wagner said. "We do it because we love this country, what it stands for and for the freedom it provides, and we would lay down our lives to preserve that for each and every one of you in this room today, and any American around the world."
Since the Revolutionary War, 1.3 million American personnel have given the ultimate sacrifice in the defense of the nation, Wagner said.
More than 80,000 Americans are still missing in action, and more than 6,000 North Carolina service members are currently deployed around the globe.
"Remember that while we are celebrating, they're standing on the wall, shoulder-to-shoulder, preventing our enemies from trying to take the security from all of us that we love," Wagner said.
"Take a moment, remember and let us never forget our honored fallen and forever support their families. As long as I have breath in my lungs, I will remember."
On Memorial Day, the American flag is raised to the top of the staff and lowered to half staff, where it remains until noon. At noon, it is raised to full staff the remainder of the day.
"At noon, we will raise it to top of staff to show everyone we are still free," Wagner said. "They did not die in vain, and we will continue to defend our way of life for many years to come."
The Memorial Day Ceremony, which started with a Seymour Johnson Air Force Base honor guard, included veteran recognitions, patriotic songs and traditional military ceremonies tied to honoring fallen soldiers.
Encore Entertainment sang several songs, including a medley of service songs for each branch of the military. Members and veterans of the Army, Air Force, Marines, Navy and Coast Guard stood during each service song.
Veterans of American wars were also recognized during the event. The event was concluded with the placing of the wreath, the sounding of the bell -- in place of the traditional 21-gun salute -- and the performance of taps.