Engineer Regimental Remembrance Ceremony.

The ENFORCE 2008 Engineer Regimental Remembrance Ceremony formally paid tribute to the 37 Sappers who had fallen since ENFORCE 2007--from 23 May 2007 through 9 May 2008. Brigadier General Gregg F. Martin, Commandant of the United States Army Engineer School, spoke about the sacrifice our Sappers are making for our country, as well as for countries all over the world. He also emphasized the importance of keeping our Wounded Warriors in the Army, employing them wherever they are able to serve.

A Roll Call of the 37 Sappers was read by Sergeant First Class Anthony Snincsak, Engineer Advanced Noncommissioned Officer Course, and Sergeant Major H. Timothy Williams III, Engineer Personnel Proponency Office.

SGT William E. Allmon SGT Brian D. Ardron MSG Scott R. Ball SPC Richard B. Burress PFC Adam J. Chitjian SGT Cory L. Clark SPC Michael W. Davis SGT Dayne D. Dhanoolal SPC William T. Dix SPC Michael K. Frank SPC Adam G. Herold SFC Rocky H. Herrera SGT Shawn F. Hill SGT Bryce D. Howard SPC Alun R. Howells MSG Julian Ingles-Rios SGT Samuel E. Kelsey CPL Johnathan A. Lahmann SPC David E. Lambert PFC Robert A. Liggett PFC Adam L. Marion CPT Timothy I. McGovern SSG Jeremiah E. McNeal SGT John W. Mele II PFC Joshua S. Modgling SGT John C. Osmolski SGT Joseph A. Richard III SGT Bradley J. Skelton SPC Erich S. Smallwood PFC Tyler J. Smith SGT Timothy M. Smith SPC Brandon W. Smitherman CPT Joshua E. Steele SPC Matthew F. Straughter SSG Shannon V. Weaver CPL Kory D. Wiens SFC William A. Zapfe

Regimental Command Sergeant Major Robert J. Wells paid the following tribute to the fallen Sappers:

There is no amount of honor we can bestow that one could say is "enough" when speaking of such sacrifice. It is our challenge as a group, and indeed as a country, to ensure that our Soldiers are not forgotten. These Soldiers were someone's battle buddy, fighting alongside their comrades, fully knowing the dangers they faced when going outside the wire. Most were young, never to know the happiness of falling in love or the joy of watching their children grow into young adults. But we will not despair. These Soldiers have given us the greatest of gifts. Our hearts will hold their memories dear. From this day forth, the way in which we live our lives will reflect that others have sacrificed so much. We will humbly work to preserve the legacy of sacrifice, bravery, and selflessness that these Soldiers have displayed. To the Families of our fallen, I cannot adequately express how honored we are to have known your Soldier. Although we are deeply affected by this loss, our suffering pales in comparison to the anguish you feel. Our collective hearts go out to you, this day and into the future.

The fellow Soldiers of these brave engineers have begun preserving this legacy of bravery by continuing to fight. This is especially hard to do. You see, they not only lived and fought alongside these brave engineers; they also carried them tenderly from the battlefield. Their emotions range from quiet humility to unbridled rage, tearful remembrance to quiet determination. Through all this, they persevere; they honor their brothers. Our thoughts and prayers are with them as they valiantly continue the mission. In a sense, this ceremony is a celebration--a celebration of life. We would do well in this celebration by finding some measure of comfort in the words heard today.

I know these engineers would want it no other way. The memory of these brave Soldiers brings a quiet determination to continue to live, continue to make a difference, continue to fight to make others free.

They did. We will.