1. 173D AIRBORNE BRIGADE MEMORIAL DEDICATION CEREMONY

2. On 1 June 2010, starting at dawn, they came….

3. Sky Soldiers still serving.

4. Friends of Sky Soldiers.

5. Proud Veterans remembering.

6. Recalling days gone by and friends of old.

7. To witness this long awaited event!

8. Our Allies came from afar.

9. Those retired and those still serving.

10. To be with us at this important ceremony.

11. The Military Band played a march…

12. Soldiers appeared in the distance…

13. A Multinational Color Guard….

14. Bearing the US, Australian and New Zealand Flags

15. Positioned themselves in front of the bleachers.

16. CSM Rolling Presented the Colors

17. To BG James Yarbrough

18. Who then opened the dedication ceremony

19. With words that stirred the crowd.

20. CSM Rolling spoke on behalf of 173d ABCT Commander Colonel Jim Johnson.

21. Australian MG Caligari spoke of brotherhood and service

22. New Zealand BG Gawn echoed this theme.

23. Ken Smith then spoke the words of dedication.

24. We moved from the bleachers to the Memorial.

25. Preceded by the Colors

26. Carried by battle tested Warriors from Afghanistan.

27. Active Duty Warriors and Veterans

28. Without regard to rank or title

29. Remembered comrades – the returned and the fallen.

30. Bob Wolfgang presided over dedication events at the Memorial.

31. Veterans and a gold star representative from the Vietnam era

32. Presented a Wreath

33. And rendered honors to the Vietnam fallen.

34. An Australian Veteran, Gold Star Family Member, and Serving Warriors

35. Presented their wreath

36. And rendered honors to their fallen.

37. New Zealand Veterans and Serving Warrior

38. Presented their wreath

39. And remembered their fallen brothers.

40. OIF and OEF Veterans

41. Accompanied by Gold Star Family Members

42. Placed their wreath beside those from an earlier era

43. And rendered honors to the fallen.

44. And all was silent as brothers in arms and friends and family remembered.

45. The Color Guard rendered final honors.

46. As did veterans and warriors.

47. The rifle salute was fired and taps sounded.

48. The Piper paid a final tribute.

49. The Colors were retired.

50. And the Dedication Ceremony done…

51. Leaving many to remember

52. And many to mourn.

61. Dedicated this 1 st day of June, 2010