The solemn intonation of the ship’s bell rang out across Naval Support Facility (NSF) Dahlgren on Sept. 21 for 53 local fallen service members whose names were read at the Bells Across America ceremony, held at the Naval Support Activity South Potomac (NSASP) Headquarters flagpole.
This was the second year the program was held aboard the facility and coincides with the Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day.
“This is an opportunity for us to remember our fallen comrades and support their families,” NSASP Executive Officer Cmdr. Robert Lusk said as he opened the ceremony.
Lt. Joshua Okwori, command chaplain for NSASP, gave a brief invocation and was followed by NSASP Commanding Officer Capt. Michael O’Leary who offered condolences on behalf of the command to the Gold Star families that were present for the ceremony.
“While I have not personally experienced the loss of a family member in service to our country, we often speak of our service in the military as a brotherhood and sisterhood,” O’Leary said. “I would like to share a brief personal recollection of a terrible day when some of my Navy brothers and sisters were lost.”
O’Leary shared the heartache of loss that he and his fellow shipmates experienced at the loss of four of their comrades in an accident on the flight deck of the USS Enterprise (CVN-65) and explained that while his loss could never mirror the depths of the loss of a loved one, he shared in their anguish.
“While these perceptions remain vivid in my mind, they absolutely pale in comparison to the heaviness you must feel in your souls, the weight you must feel in your hearts and the insufferable passage of time you endure while you long for your loved ones,” O’Leary said.
In closing, O’Leary shared the comfort of scripture with those Gold Star Families in attendance by reading a passage from the Bible — Luke 9:24, “For whoever wishes to save his life, shall lose it: but whoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.”
“Today, please know that the sacrifice of you and your loved ones are forever appreciated by a grateful nation,” O’Leary said.
To commemorate the 53 service member’s names honored that day, Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class Jordan Lee read aloud their names, and each name was followed by the ringing of the boat’s bell by Culinary Specialist 3rd Class Kyle Rote. At the conclusion of the reading, Rote sounded four bells in remembrance of all service members that have fallen.
Okwori offered a benediction and a rendition of taps completed the ceremony
Several members of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association attended the ceremony, and Road Captain Bruce Houston summed up for all why they attended the event that day.
“I come to remember my brothers and sisters,” Houston said.
The family of fallen servicemember Staff Sgt. Thomas Florich III expressed their gratitude for the recognition of their son in the ceremony.
“I’ve heard it said that you die twice, once when you take your last breath and once when the last person says your name,” Stephen Florich, father of the deceased said. “It was good to hear his name.”
Patricia Jackson, Naval District Washington (NDW) Navy Gold Star Program regional coordinator, attended the event at NSF Dahlgren.
“The Gold Star Program’s mission is to make sure that family members and loved ones are supported,” Jackson said. “We want them to know that we are there for them and that the sacrifice of their loved one is never forgotten; the Bells Across America program is one way we can do that.”
The Bells Across America program pays tribute to fallen service members regardless of cause of death or branch of service.