By Kristin Edwards
As U.S. Army Lt. Col. Champe Miller addressed the attendants of the Texas Fallen Heroes Memorial opening ceremony Monday afternoon, he knew nothing he had to say could ease the pain of the families whose loved ones covered the memorial.
Rather, as he stood in front of the memorial — which features the names and photos of hundreds of military men and women who have died in the line of duty since Sept. 11, 2001 — he focused on honoring the group for their ultimate sacrifice.
“We are here today to commemorate those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country,” Miller said, gesturing to the memorial behind him. “There is nothing I can say to lessen the pain in your hearts, but I can say that the men and women of our military have done and are doing an incredible job, and we are winning the war against terrorism.
“The men and women who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan knew what they were fighting for. They had a vision to perpetuate our way of life for the sake of their country, their neighborhoods, their friends and their family.”
Miller was one of several people who spoke to hundreds of Walker County veterans, Texas veterans’ family members and government officials in front of the HEARTS Veterans Museum Monday.
In addition to Miller, Katy Branch, a representative of the Order of the Purple Heart, other military representatives and U.S. Rep. Kevin Brady also spoke in order to honor the hundreds of veterans featured in the memorial.
“Here in America, we know who our heroes are — their names are inscribed on this wall,” Brady said. “I’m so glad to see this memorial here, because I don’t think there is a community anywhere that takes care of its veterans like Walker County.
“Here, our veterans know they are appreciated and that their actions are honored by all.”
Several family members of veterans who had died in the line of duty since 2003 were given seats of honor at the ceremony, and following his address, Brady distributed yellow roses to each of the families represented.
“To the families of the military veterans who have given the ultimate sacrifice for their country, please accept our deepest appreciation and gratitude,” he said. “Your loved ones inspire us by their actions and their sacrifices.”
Randy Wells, a minister of over 25 years, was one of several local figures who also spoke at the ceremony.
“It is a very humbling experience to see the faces of all of these men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice,” he said. “By its very definition, patriotism implies a willingness to fight for your country and, in many cases, to die for it.
“I believe the thing that makes America great is Americans, because we don’t focus on the evil we endure but the good we can do. We can find solace in the fact that these peoples’ lives stood for something, and they gave their lives for something great.”
Additionally, Mayor J. Turner read an official proclamation naming the week of Oct. 18-23, 2008, the Texas Fallen Heroes Week in Huntsville.
“I want to encourage everyone in Huntsville to look at these pictures and think about the stories of these men and women,” Turner said.
The Texas Fallen Heroes Memorial will stand in front of the HEARTS Veterans Museum in the West Hill Mall through Oct. 23.
