Misawa AB community gathers for Memorial Day retreat

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jessica Lockoski
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan (AFNS) --  Airmen, Sailors and Soldiers were joined by military veterans in a retreat ceremony here May 27, honoring those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the defense and service of their nation.

The audience of more than 200 past and present servicemembers and their families bore witness to a special Memorial Day retreat with the Japan Air Self-Defense Force outside the 35th Fighter Wing headquarters building.

"We honor their sacrifices in the pursuit and preservation of freedom -- from the earliest days of our nation, through the military operations taking place in Southwest Asia today," said Col. Kyle Matyi, the 35th Maintenance Group commander. "The ideals (that) brave servicemembers have died for over the last 150 years are just as important today as they were then."

Following a time-honored tradition, Colonel R.C. Craig, the 35th Fighter Wing vice commander, and JASDF Major Gen. Kozo Ishino, the Northern Air Defense Force vice commander, presented a wreath near the Medal of Honor memorial, bearing the names of Airmen who died protecting their brothers and sisters in arms.

Dating back to the Civil War, laying flowers on the graves of fallen Soldiers was a common expression of remembrance. During that time, the first Memorial Day observance was established, and was originally called Remembrance Day.

"No words, except the unspoken, can fully describe the eternal sacrifices that have been made upon the altar of freedom," Colonel Matyi said. "But we owe it to them, who have worn and died in our nation's uniform, to gather together and speak of their heroism."

Once the wreath was placed, the crowd paused for a brief moment of silence in honor of those who have died.

Then, both the U.S. and Japanese national anthems were played. As the American and Japanese honor guard members lowered and secured both nations' flags, a scene of stiff salutes and hands above hearts simultaneously cascaded throughout the crowd.

"While most of us are thousands of miles away from our extended families," Colonel Matyi said, "we can take solemn comfort in respectful remembrance of our comrades who died in defense of our country with our Army, Navy and Air Force families here in Misawa."