5.7.2023 Sgt. Robert Barrett Dedication Ceremony

afternoon and thank you to being here today for us for memorial service in the Fall River Armory dedication for Sergeant Robert Barron I want to thank all who attendant and welcome Premiere General kogan colonel parentino colonel Millennium Lieutenant Carl Medrano Command Center Julio Command Sergeant majority command sergeant major couple and the friends and family of Robert for

being with us with us day this afternoon please stand for the firing of the saranota houses and the flag of the national event remain standing for the invitation

because of the rendered during applying the books and horses originally I always brought many customers with them when they came over from Oklahoma Honors to announce the Bible of Roti hesitate consisted of called musical Fanfare and government swords today schools are used to honor an announce the arrival of the senior military officials as well as sustained foreign

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let us pray o gracious God we are grateful for your presence with us and your goodness towards us we thank you that you are able to gather here for the Armory dedication ceremony of Sergeant Robert Sergeant Barrett served honorably and selflessly he made the ultimate sacrifice as we remember and honor him we pray for his family and friends we are grateful for their presence and love and support

which encourages us today I pray for the soldiers and leaders among the first Battalion 101st field artillery regimen especially those of alpha battery may your hand continue to be on my own and in protecting them as they continue to serve this great country in your most holy and precious thank you ladies and Gentlemen please take your seats thank you so what I'm going to talk about a little

bit is the dedication of course the Armory and what's actually going to be happening to this building just in the future I'm coming we're very very excited about what's going to happen to this Army we're sitting in right now so some of the small details again of the future of the bear Island we're very very excited to announce that starting the bear party has been selected to go over an extensive Renovations through

the general motions of the National Guard federal government in the state of Massachusetts the Barry Army will begin in 15 million dollars for the renovations and upgrades the timeline of the construction has gone to Alaska 15 to 18 months during this time the hardware will be getting a completely modernized without repeating easy systems updated Plumbing office spaces and launching much more we're very

excited and grateful for the outdoor and support and we're looking forward to returning back to Bear Armory in the near future at this time I'd like welcome recorder General honor the assistant Apple general department of Massachusetts good afternoon I'm delighted that this Armory will be made for sergeant Baron and equally delighted to hear about the renovations this issue of what what

armor is going to be repaired what's going to be sold is obligated thing that all went through the process of this artery landed on top having been rededicated to the memory of Sergeant Barrett I want to give a shout out to the 215th Army Band one of the best bands in the land give them a hand As We Gather this afternoon I want to share with you this is personal I knew Sergeant Perry

we served together in the 54 of Massachusetts the honor guard provides funeral honors throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts over 4 000 on a given year I wear the 54th regimental crest on my uniform the unit that's made famous by the movie Glory the statue of the unit right across from the state house in Boston Sergeant Barrett was a member of that regiment and under the leadership of the Brigadier General

McLeod was here and on the top of the San Jose was one of the most consequential commanders of the 54 assist Colonel Shah of the Civil War under his leadership we marched in President Obama's first inaugural parade in January 2009.

Sergeant Vera was a member of that team Who provided leadership and support and encouragement what a Winsome personality discipline he just wanted to connect with him and enjoy being around I respected and admired him recently there was been discussion about in the military should we allow young people to do important and significant things his odds and the years of us who are in uniform yes we have young people

doing incredible things and that young man raised his hand that's four enough to defend and protect the Constitution of the United States and the rights and interests of the American people that took them far from him and he lost his life in the pursuit of that commitment that he made at a very young and evolution I was thinking about this mirror the other God was there and did a wonderful job as they always do

was trying to get us to move on he's dead we couldn't we were just up there and eventually it's a time went on and we moved on but of course our hearts and Minds remembered our brother but today we rejoice and we can linger together with a sense of gratitude for life and service of our brother Sergeant Mary and I am so delighted in this Armory this artillery Armory will be dedicated to his name

thank you so at this time I'd like to call the truth Commander colonel

good afternoon soon Carlene Sophie really better distinguished guests ladies and gentlemen I realize I'm empathy how everyone in America had changed how every life had stopped and has suddenly begun again on a different course everything in this world that stopping except the world and we were all men and women professional out in a strange night caring for each other although this passage may sound like and

refer us to September 11th 2001 actually earning prior end of these words over 70 years ago in 1944 his work by the brave men chronicled the major battles the words paint a picture of fear and confusion felt by soldiers facing the enemy words unspoken as these men faced their Destiny for many it would be their last in her own death earning power through his writing puts us in touch with our own patriotism our pride

how we came to be a nation and our understanding of a week in uniform really are more importantly these words were published to remember the cause of brick of America this body only to realize the crisis May evolved this is what the dedication of this building in the name of Sergeant Robin Jade Barrett symbolizes a time to take a clear look at both often past and our future and most importantly to

acknowledge the debt we owe to those men and women who because they so cherish the peace chose to live his glory for more than 250 years our military has provided a mask against our Heavens in that time our world has changed and our armed forces have changed with it but the valid addicting and courage of the men and women in uniform Remains the Same from Valley Forge to Desert Storm from

Korea Vietnam and Bosnia to operations Iraqi freedom and enduring freedom the fighting Spirit of the American soldier who punctuates the history of our nation the founders of this great country understood that the military would be the vampire from which America would guard its freedoms George Washington said that by keeping up and keeps a well-regulated and disciplined volition we shall take the fairest and best

method to preserve for a long time to come to happiness dignity and Independence of our country the prophecy of those words has been fulfilled time and time again the cost of that Vision however has been tremendous for the periods of Peace our country has enjoyed a few the longest time of complete Tranquility for our Armed Forces was the 23 years between World Wars one and two since the Revolutionary War more than 42

million men and women have served that America's military over 666 000 of those Nautilus selfless Warriors have died and gone that operation on April 19 2010 Sergeant Robert was killed in action by a suicide bomber in Congo Afghanistan much like many of you in the audience I remember that day distinctly I met him during my time serving in 101st field autism but mortal remember he had been a member of the

Massachusetts National Guard upon a god he was one of the soldiers who attended President Obama as inauguration debate as a member of the 54th president something I know it was very proud at the time he was fatally wounded I recall how quickly the word spread within the owner more importantly though I remember how well admired him the news of that day sat in everyone even those who did not know him

personally now we love him and his contribution to our following and our nation

the answer to that question is as simple and yet as complex as the soul of America itself we fight because we believe not that war is good but that is sometimes necessary soldiers might not for the glory of War but for the prize of freedom in the words of philosophy John stood with milk war is a public thing but not the ugliest of things that decayed into creative state of morale and patriotic

feeling which thinks nothing is worth is much worse a man who has nothing which he is willing to fight nothing he cares more about than his own personal safety is a miserable creature who has no chance at feeding you I bring up that quote and the question provided to him because I was as I was thinking the words to write at this dedication I remember to call him he had written in speaking with his mother Carlene

today Robert's words some of the very answer to that question succinct he wrote I am the father a son a grandson a because of a brother I am a friend a mentor a leader a soldier I volunteer to hold my life on the line flag Freedom country for my fellow soldiers for you my little girl for you my beeping mother and father I'm going to a land that an American Queen was just a dream

a whole a slow reality in Robin's words we can feel his pride and Country and his love of the prize of Freedom we also feel our families quickly hits paid the ultimate sacrifice simply by watching their loved one go to work families have enjoyed and yet they endure they endure because of friends and support means and the strongest of communities and surely Never Walk Alone this building we are in will now be

known as the Barrack armor in recognition of Southern Robin J balance sacrifice this building is in the process of getting the largest renovation of any holiday in the history of the Massachusetts National Guard thanks to the team at the division of the capital of asset and management upon completion of renovation plaques will be displayed on the wall of the entrance his dedication and others like him are

immensely informed to ensure we always keep the memory of our form alive in this honor the bad future generations of citizens soldiers and Nautilus will walk through the fort and know the sacrifice loyalty strength pride and hope for and to worthy needs and maybe many of those same traits will be reflected on thank you thank you very much so at this time I would like to welcome the commander of first Battalion 101st

field or to the regimental thank you we can do a general honors members of the battery family soldiers and governments their first bill that delivery thank you all for being here today this is something very important to our organization and the Union as a whole so the opportunity to present study so April 19 2010 those of you that were there remember well We Lost Robert all of us felt it even

those who didn't really know him that well felt this loss it was a mixed feeling of sadness and frustration and anger all involved into one attempt to measure our employment supplies that was very difficult for us to us as a unit and as an organization who's been here many centuries Robert was a kid just wants to serve his community and deserves this country wants to be part of something greater than himself

Robert was just like all of us put on a uniform walk through these doors here do what is asked to him see that the job is done when you put on this uniform you put a lot of things in your life aside besides having family we put aside just another career put aside Hobbies your education and we as Americans are privileged enough to live in a country or military services voluntary so those of us

volunteering around the uniform understands that putting on applies making sacrifices Robert made those sacrifices just like everyone else but he didn't get to come home with us the plaque that we're going to show you like itself tells usually we'll get into that in a little game it tells a story where Robin sacrifice and it also tells the story of the U.S involvement in Afghanistan Afghanistan

the those feelings and their frustration and sadness started coming back in a few months like we talked about alphabet IC Army bed and you start packing their stuff from the bottom of this building so you can start right away these blacks are going to be installed in their in their permanent places located on the building the entrance to my right the entrance behind me these blacks here

and this building serve not only the modern Roberts memory and his sacrifice but also to honor the sacrifices of future generations of soldiers just like him join the guard hold on to your funeral tomorrow walk through these doors serve the community in the country and see that the job is done thank you so this time I'd like to call out Robert's sister Rebecca okay

good afternoon everybody and thank you for attending the memorial service and fall of the Armory dedication for Sergeant Robert Barrett I want to thank all who have attended to include Brigadier General minor Colonel Florentino Colonel Glenn Lieutenant Colonel Medrano mayor Coogan who I saw walking a little while ago uh command command sergeant major Ola I think I said that wrong and I

apologize command sergeant major Gagnon command major sergeant major prevail the hundred the first 101st sealed artillery the city of Fall River for Fire and Police Department Alpha battery the dirty deck and the fourth Squad testing Rob looked a lot of things when he was younger it was Thomas the Tank Engine lamb drop Legos and playing outside as he got older he loved NASCAR restaurant SpongeBob long drives and

Taylor Swift there were two things he loved more than anything in both his family and the military Rob started at a yogi need to learn anything ins and outs but basic military protocol by being alone for the Darby and JROTC throw program he came to every competition carried all of our stuff ran all of our errands and watched every Sunday school performed so intently only saves one day I'm going to be in the military

we didn't think much of it back then because we would just have to have someone to call up our front door if we wanted right he joined the njrotc program when he went to Darfield and made himself known by senior year he'd become executive official and commander of the color guard he had also joined the Army National Guard after basic and AIT he decided he wanted to become part of the honor God to make

sure that there was always someone here to honor those with anymore I remember feeling like I've been punched in the duck because I knew what was coming next I knew he would get his Waters to deploy it two weeks later that's exactly what happened and three weeks after that he was gone little did we know that our phone walls would be the last time we heard his voice he called me when we all landed an island

even though he told me that you know you guys gonna leave the hotel that was but he called me what he could from Cabo I didn't know how to end it and then I realized it's because it's not old just because it's gone his stories about it this building alone this building is going to help so many people wanted to study and that's how we keep him alive thank you thank you very much

so at this time I would like to move to the flag dedication and the reason part of the sermon what conference you know and the family of friends that's our department

so ladies and Gentlemen let's go quickly talk a little bit about what you see right here so one year after Robert was killed in Afghanistan a great school was named in his honor a 10 minute School in rural Afghanistan that was built by the Coalition forces as part of the ongoing Partnership of the Afghan people the school served the community of more than 200 school-aged children in addition to the classrooms

School containing security basketballs five bathrooms and a water bottle this plaque right here during the evening's most previous 2021 deployment Afghanistan there was a Detachment soldiers that was where Robert was at the location during his 2010 deployment prior to the Limit one of the first soldiers which are from Afghanistan they retrieved the flag of Robert had brought it home with them

ladies and gentlemen despite you see here the State Fire soldiers in the final days of the fall of the country tell them we can look at this plaque and remember the dedication to service propagated to his country

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let us pray heavenly father as the servant comes to uphold I pray that you will bless us and keep us that will that we will make your faith shine upon us gracious to us Lord turn your face towards us and give us your peace thank you

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until this time