FORT KNOX, Ky. — Service members remember the soldiers we've lost.
“Our all-volunteer Army is a credit to an America of all races, genders and creeds and our common commitment to defense and love of country," Army Brigadier General Hope Rampy told those in attendance Monday at the Memorial Day ceremony at Fort Knox military post.
The event honored those who have served and passed on.
"To remember the service members. it’s less than 2% of the nation that actually chooses to service but that’s our choice and we lay the foundation for this great nation," Brig. Gen. Rampy explained.
The event was not open to the public and numbers were limited due to COVID-19 precautions. Monday's ceremony featured a 21-gun salute, Prisoners of War/Missing in Action remembrance ceremony, flag folding and the playing of taps. This June marks the 100th year Fort Knox has interned soldiers on the post.
“It’s pretty cool that it’s 100 years for the Tomb of the Unknown but it’s also 100 years in June of 1921 that hear at Fort Knox, they laid the first veteran to rest," Brig. Gen Rampy said.
Rampy also participated in a ceremonial wreath laying which is a tradition honoring all U.S. service members who lost their lives in defense of the United States.
Fort Knox is the final resting place for both soldiers and their dependents. Army Chaplain Charles Hamlin led the ceremony's opening and closing prayer.
“Honor those who have given the full measure of service for our country, to remember and remind ourselves what Memorial Day is all about, to remember fallen comrades who have served in all of our wars to give us freedom," Hamlin said.
The ceremony will be posted on the Fort Knox Facebook page.
Editor's note: An earlier version of this story misspelled Brig. General Hope Rampy's last name. Our appologies for the error.