health.mil

Peter Graves  |  health.mil

March 29, 2011

 

Families and service members gathered for a ceremony to honor 262 fallen medical service members who've died in battle.  The Military Health System has hosted this event since 2009 and serves to bring families together who've lost loved ones that served.  (DoD photo by Johnny Bivera)   

Families of military medical personnel who were lost during Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation New Dawn gathered March 28 at Arlington National Ceremony for the third annual Remembrance Ceremony for Fallen Military Medical Personnel. The event was hosted by Dr. Jonathon Woodson, assistant secretary of defense for Health Affairs.

“Words alone cannot possibly express the profound grief we feel at the loss of these brave men and women, and yet, we gather today to honor these individuals – men and women who were completely and selflessly dedicated to the saving of the lives of others,” said Woodson. “For these sons and daughters, husbands and wives, mothers and fathers who are so dearly missed, their lives mattered. Their lives mattered in profound ways.”

Featured guest speakers included Cmdr. (Dr.) Richard Jadick, an American naval surgeon who was awarded the Bronze Star with a Combat V device for his heroic efforts during the second battle of Fallujah; and Army Capt. Ivan Castro, assistant operations officer/Total Army Involvement recruiting coordinator for the U.S. Army Special Operations Recruiting Battalion at Fort Bragg, N.C.. Castro was blinded by a mortar round in Iraq in 2006 but was able to remain in the military and now serves as an advocate for wounded warriors.

“As one who has served in combat support hospitals, I have witnessed first hand the unbelievable depth of courage, bravery, and personal sacrifice of displayed by those we honor today,” followed Woodson. “And I know the sacrifices your loved ones made were in pursuit of ideals and principles that endure – that human life matters.”

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