Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
The Gold Star family of U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Aaron Seal was honored Thursday at the Zimmer Biomet Veterans Resource Group’s Memorial Day Wreath-Laying Ceremony.
U.S. Army Col. Ali Besik, G3 Operations, 310 Expeditionary Support Command in Indianapolis, was the guest speaker during the event at the Zimmer Biomet Center Lake Pavilion.
Jim Waldrop, a member of the Zimmer Biomet Veteran Resource Group Leadership Team, served as the master of ceremonies for the annual ceremony.
“On behalf of our Zimmer Biomet CEO and president, our VRG executive sponsor Mr. Ken Tripp and over 120 Veterans Resource Group team members, we’d like to welcome you today as we host our ... wreath-laying ceremony,” Waldrop said.
He recognized those participating in the ceremony, including the Warsaw Community High School JROTC battalion providing the color guard, Warsaw VFW Post 1126 and American Legion Post 49 providing honor detail, Fort Wayne Scottish Pipes providing the music and Zimmer Biomet senior leadership. He welcomed public representatives attending, including Mayor Jeff Grose, the Warsaw fire and police departments and the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office. In attendance were members of the local infantry.
Given special recognition was World War II veteran Charlie Garner.
Waldrop gave a history of the poppy flower’s relevance to Memorial Day that dates back to World War I. There were poppies on each of the tables, provided by American Legion Post 49.
After the national anthem, Waldrop had the wreath-laying honor guard present the mounted wreath in honor of the many service men and women who have given the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom for the nation. The honor guard was escorted by the Fort Wayne Scottish Pipes and the Gold Star Family of U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Aaron Seal.
“A Gold Star family designation indicates a member of one’s family was lost during combat operation. Today, we honor the parents of Marine Lance Cpl. Aaron Seal,” Waldrop said. “His father, David Dunn, and family, are here with us today. And their son gave the ultimate sacrifice on Oct. 1, 2006, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.”
Seal was born in Elkhart in 1982. He graduated from Memorial High School in 2001. He joined the Marine Corp in 2003. He deployed to Iraq in September 2006.
“Per his family and friends, he enjoyed the outdoors - hunting, hanging out at the beach, playing little league ... and he was the type of friend that everybody wanted,” Waldrop said.
Before Seal deployed, he had purchased a bottle of Royal Crown for a good friend’s birthday. His friend saved the bottle and told Seal he wasn’t going to drink it until Seal came home.
“So every year, on Oct. 1 now, friends and family meet at his grave and have a toast. And each year, the numbers increase - 30, 50 people showing up. On Oct. 1, 2016, in fact, some of the Marines that served with him in Iraq flew in for the first time to share that moment with Aaron’s family and friends. Some came from as far as South Carolina, others from Kentucky and Mr. Dunn says it was so touching for his family, he said he can’t even put it into words how they felt to have his fellow comrades come and participate with the family,” Waldrop said.
Friends and family say Seal touched a lot of lives in the short amount of years he was there with them.
A moment of silence, a three-volley salute and Taps followed.
Besik spoke about why we celebrate Memorial Day and the history of the Army, which is celebrating its 250th anniversary this year. Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day.
“In planning that first Decoration Day in 1868, Gen. John Logan, the national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, wrote that we should not only remember those who died in defense of their country, but also renew our pledges to aid and assist those who they left with us, the widows and orphans,” he said. “We continue to honor those left behind who paid a personal price for us and our nation, our Gold Star families, in particular.”
Seal’s family was honored again with a round of applause.
“Allow me to express my appreciation to you, on behalf of all of those present today and behalf of our country, we are humbled by your sacrifice and grateful to you for your continued service to the community,” Besik stated.
After Besik’s comments, Cpl. Seal’s father, David Dunn, provided a few words, thanking Waldrop for inviting him and his family to Thursday’s event. He said it was a bittersweet moment for him and his family. He thanked everyone for taking their time out of their day for spending time with them and honoring his son.
“Words ‘never forgotten’ mean a lot to us, but when you put them into action like this, it’s just awesome. I just appreciate it. Thank you,” Dunn said.
Dale Campbell, U.S. Army retired captain and Zimmer Biomet Veterans Resource Group chair, presented Dunn with a plaque in honor of Seal.
The ceremony concluded with a video, “Amazing Grace” on bagpipes and the retiring of the colors.
