Fallen veterans receive honor

Friday, November 09, 2012

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cumberland county, fort bragg, local/state, greg barnes

Greg Barnes
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FAYETTEVILLE (WTVD) -- A special ceremony was held Friday to honor a Fort Bragg soldier who died from injuries suffered in Iraq and other wars.

This is one Veterans Day that Evan Standifer and his Army buddies never forget. Their battle buddy Spc. Carl Hall was mortally wounded in Iraq. Friday night, a paver stone was dedicated in his honor.

"It feels good to be recognized for the service and everything," said Standifer. "We do a lot of it and it goes unnoticed."

That's what Veterans Day is about. Thanking veterans past and present for their service.

"It's really important to have events like this to let people know that their community cares for them," said John Meroski, with the Fayetteville Tourism and Visitors Bureau. "They are our brothers and sisters. They are not just people we pass by on the street."

But Veterans Day is so much more than just handshakes and thank yous. It's about honor. Jeff Falkel's son, Chris, was killed in Afghanistan. Falkel has written a book about his son and fellow soldiers' love of their country.

"Our country owes them a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid. Until we remember them, and they all come home, we can't forget the ones that have gone before us," said Falkel.

At the Airborne and Special Operations Museum more than 170 flags fly in honor of Fort Bragg soldiers killed in Iraq. Some were close friends of Enick Bostick, who served six tours of duty in Iraq.

"It's good to see their names and see that they have been honored on a larger scale than just personally," said Bostick.

During a ceremony Friday, they remembered Purple Heart recipients and posted flags to Medal of Honor troops.

Dedication and loyalty -- that's what veterans and families said what we all need to remember.

"Any of us who are vets have an opportunity to say thank you to the guys who are serving now," said veteran Jim Hollister. "We should do that, and we should say thank you to each other because we all served. It's important we remember that .