Remembering fallen service members in the time of coronavirus

by | May 22, 2020 | News

By Mission Public Affairs

The Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center hosted a virtual Memorial Day ceremony to remember fallen military members on May 21, 2020. The event was posted to several different social media platforms to reach an audience that has largely been working from home under a shelter-in-place order since March 17.

Col. Gary Hausman, commandant of DLIFLC, speaks during the virtual Memorial Day ceremony held on May 21, 2020.

“This year, our observance is different from previous years while we help to slow the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic by social distancing and by conducting this event virtually,” said Col. Gary Hausman, commandant of DLIFLC. “Instead of parades or large memorial events, we can remember the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in a more private way.”

The event was pre-recorded at the cemetery on the Presidio of Monterey, along with Col. Gregory Ford, commander of POM, and guest speaker retired Col. Dino Pick, a former commandant of DLIFLC.

“Let us live lives worthy of their sacrifice, especially in these challenging times of a pandemic,” said Pick, speaking about the fallen. “We honor their memories through the grace of our actions towards each other, through the strength of our character and doing what is right. “

DLIFLC leadership, along with guest speaker and former commandant retired Dino Pick, salute during the virtual Memorial Day ceremony held on the Presidio of Monterey May 21, 2020.

The ceremony also memorialized Sgt. 1st Class Jeremy W. Griffin, a graduate of the Korean basic course in 2005, who was killed in action by small arms fire, September 16, 2019, while engaged in combat operations in Wardak Province, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.

“Memorial Day is a time to honor our commitment to never forget those who served and sacrificed for America,” said Hausman. “And today, we do that once again.”

To view the virtual Memorial Day ceremony, you can go to our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/DLIFLC/videos/3859684964103373, our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/YPvvxYJRtCc or Vimeo channel: https://vimeo.com/420880999

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