Page 3 - Ft. Irwin High Desert Warrior, December 2018

www.aerotechnews.com/ntcfortirwin High Desert Warrior

3December 7, 2018
Veteras Day

BarstowVeterans Day ceremony honors
past, present service members

By Codi Kozacek Addressing the crowd, Lt. Col. Rahsaan Jackson, director of Fort their country.
Irwin’s Directorate of Emergency Services, asked those present to “Even in a time of heightened political tension and cultural
Contributor pause for a moment of silence.
BARSTOW, Calif. — Dozens of community groups and ser- tension, the veteran community is undivided,” Jackson said. “We
vice members, past and present, gathered Nov. 11 at the Mountain “That is the sound of freedom” he said. “So to our veterans, do the job today that the generation before us did, and the genera-
View Memorial Park in Barstow to show their support for the thank you.” tion before them. And our sons and daughters will continue to do
nation’s veterans. so in the future.”
This year’s annual Veterans Day observance commemorated the Jackson underscored the importance of Veterans Day as a way
100-year anniversary of the end of World War I and honored the to honor those who served before and as a reminder to support Master Sgt. David Sweeney, Sergeant Major of Fort Irwin’s
men and women who have continued to fight the country’s battles. the approximately 120,000 soldiers who transition to civilian life Directorate of Emergency Services, said many of the country’s
In the High Desert, it was also a chance to bring together vet- each year. veterans – especially those who served in Vietnam – were not well
erans with those who still wear the uniform. The region is home to received when they first returned from war. He said it is crucial to
several large-scale military installations, including the U.S. National “It is up to us to make sure that these Soldiers are able to put the show them support going forward.
Training Center at Fort Irwin and the Marine Corps Logistics skills and values they learned during their time in the military into
Base Barstow, both of which sent representatives to the Barstow meaningful employment after separation from the service,” he said. “Days like today are important because we need to make sure
memorial ceremony this year. we don’t forget our veterans,” he said.
Today’s veterans encompass generations of service members,
from those who fought in World War II and Vietnam, to those The Fort Irwin Rifle Team concluded the Barstow ceremony
who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. But despite coming from all with a 21-gun salute.
walks of life, veterans remain united in their common service to

The Fort Irwin Rifle Team fires a 21-gun salute during the Veterans Day ceremony at Community and Veterans groups from across the High Desert presented more than a
Mountain View Memorial Park in Barstow on Nov. 11. dozen wreaths Nov. 11 at Mountain View Memoria Park in Barstow to honor our nation’s
vets.

Lt. Col. Rahsaan Jackson, director of the Fort Irwin Directorate of Emergency Services (right) Lt. Col. Rahsaan Jackson, director of the Fort Irwin Directorate of Emergency Services,

and Col. Craig Clemans, commander of Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow (left), escort Gold speaks to veterans and their families during the Veterans Day ceremony at Mountain View

Star mothers as they lay wreaths during Veterans Day ceremonies in Barstow on Nov. 11 Memorial Park in Barstow Nov. 11.

For more information go to www.irwin.army.mil