Forty-Third Annual Ecumenical Memorial Service
And Seveteenth Annual Wreath Laying Ceremony,
Fort Totten, Bayside, New York

On Sunday, 3 November 2019, the 77^th Infantry Division Reserve Officers Association held its 43^rd Annual Ecumenical Memorial Service in the MG John W. Kaine Memorial Hall, Ernie Pyle USAR Center, Fort Totten.  The Memorial Service was held in Kaine Hall again this year because the Post Chapel is still undergoing extensive renovations by the NYC Department of Parks & Recreation.

This Memorial Service specifically remembers Soldiers of the 77^th Infantry Division and its successor commands, as well as other veterans who have been long-time friends of our Association, whose passing has come to the attention of the Association during the preceding year.  Since 2005, these Soldiers also have specifically included members of the 307^th Infantry Veterans Society.  In addition, the Memorial Service honors all other members of the 77^th family who have served and currently are serving their country.

Immediately following the Memorial Service, our Association held its 17^th Annual Wreath Laying Ceremony at the 77^th Memorial Grove next to the USAR Center.  This Grove, which contains several memorial trees, memorial benches, and numerous memorial bricks, was established by our Association in 2002 to honor all members of the 77^th.  In that year, we also dedicated a polished granite monument in the Grove to six members of the 77^th Regional Readiness Command who perished at the World Trade Center on 9-11-2001.

Immediately afterwards, the customary Reception for participants and other attendees was held in Kaine Hall.

Click here to view a copy of the Program for this event.

We were pleased that the Memorial Service was attended by numerous family members and friends of the Soldiers being remembered, as well as by many members and other guests of our Association.

The Service began with a welcome by our Vice President and Director, COL Ivan Cornielle, USA (Ret), who later introduced the other participants and read the Last Roll Call.

His introductory remarks were immediately followed by the posting of the colors by a Color Guard of the 389^th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 77^th Sustainment Brigade.

This was followed by the singing of the National Anthem by CH (CPT) Nafatara J. Sugrim, USAR, Chaplain, 389^th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion.

The Invocation and Scripture Reading were offered by CH (LTC) Murray E. Stadtmauer, USA (Ret), who is a long-time member and supporter of our Association.  The Prayer and Benediction were offered by Chaplain Sugrim. 

Remarks regarding the importance of military service, and the historic role of Fort Totten in the history of the contributions of New York to the defense of the nation, were delivered by New York State Senator John C. Liu.  He represents the 11^th District, which includes Fort Totten.

The keynote address regarding the proud history of the 77^th from the beginning in 1917 and its significant role in both World Wars and afterwards, and the important current role of the Army Reserves, was delivered by MG William Terpeluk, USA (Ret), Former Commander, 77^th Regional Readiness Command.  MG Terpeluk is a long-time member and Director of our Association.

Eulogies of fifteen departed members of the 77^th family were delivered by COL Lawrence M. Bellman, USA (Ret), who is a Vice President and Director of our Association.

Personal remarks by other participants, and by several family members and friends who were among the Congregation, supplemented five of the eulogies.

                                   

COL Cornielle also read additional personal remarks written by our President, COL Louis H. Sudholz, Jr., who was unable to be present for the Service, regarding two Directors of our Association who were among the members of the 77^th family being remembered.  Those departed members of our Board of Directors were: COL Edwin G. Logan, USA (Ret) and CPT Douglas A. Wilke, USA (Ret).

A Trombonist of the 78^th Army Band, SGT Brandon Drew, USAR, then played “The Lord’s Prayer”.  He also played “Nearer, My God, To Thee” after the Scripture Reading.

COL Cornielle read the Last Roll Call, during which SGT Drew rang a chime after each name, and then SGT Drew played TAPS.

Numerous members of the Congregation from the Memorial Service then joined the participants for the Wreath Laying Ceremony in the 77^th Memorial Grove.

Another posting of the colors by the Color Guard was followed by brief Introductory Remarks by COL Cornielle.

MG Terpeluk then delivered brief Remarks about the importance of remembering the six Soldiers and others who were lost on 9-11-2001.

Chaplain Stadtmauer offered a Prayer for Soldiers and Chaplain Sugrim offered a Prayer of Remembrance.

MG Terpeluk, CW4 Bernard M. Kaplan, USA (Ret) and Senator Liu presented the Memorial Wreath.  CW4 Kaplan is Treasurer and a Director of our Association.

            SGT Drew played TAPS.

Immediately after the Wreath Laying Ceremony, all participants and attendees were invited back to Kaine Hall for an informal Reception, with refreshments.

To view additional photos of these events, click here to go to Photo Albums.