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There wasn’t a dry eye in sight during the final Roll Call
ceremony, for the honorary Texas Army National Guard Spc. Rowan
Jameson Windham, Jan. 24, 2017, at Camp Mabry in Austin, Texas.
A final roll call ceremony is a military ritual designed to
serve as a tribute paid by soldiers to their deceased comrade.
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January 24, 2017 - Photos of honorary Texas Army National Guard
Spc. Rowan Jameson Wyndham (10) are displayed during a final roll
call ceremony conducted by the Texas Military Department at Camp
Mabry in Austin, Texas. The roll call serves as a memorial ceremony
to represent the permanent loss of a soldier. Windham spent the
majority of his 10 years battling a rare genetic disorder called
Shwachman-Diomand syndrome. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt.
Elizabeth Pena)
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Each soldier sounds off, “Here, first sergeant!” when their name
is called. But on this day, the auditorium fell silent as Windham’s
name was echoed throughout the packed room. “Spc. Rowan Windham…”
Traditionally, the ceremony includes a visible reminder of
the deceased soldier. The head gear and identification tags signify
the fallen. In most cases, an inverted rifle with bayonet, but this
case a wooden cross and gear stand, signals a time for prayer, a
break in action to pay tribute to their comrade.
“He was an
incredible kid,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Mark A. Weedon, senior
enlisted advisor for the Texas Military Department. “He did more in
his small 10 years of life, than some of us do in a lifetime.”
Windham’s ever lasting impact on the Texas Military Department
was evident during the emotional roll call ceremony, as hundreds of
service members came to pay their respects with Kleenex in hand.
Also present at the roll call ceremony were Windhams parents.
“He would be crying happy tears as Rowan would say,” said
Brian Windham, father of Rowan. “He would be skipping out of here
with joy,” said Carrie Windham, mother of Rowan, through her own
tears of happiness.
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January 24, 2017 - A folded American flag with photos of
honorary Texas Army National Guard Spc. Rowan Jameson Windham (10)
with fellow soldiers are displayed at Windham's final roll call
ceremony conducted by the Texas Military Department at Camp Mabry in
Austin, Texas. The roll call serves as a memorial ceremony to
represent the permanent loss of a soldier. Windham spent the
majority of his 10 years battling a rare genetic disorder called
Shwachman-Diomand syndrome. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Elizabeth Pena)
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Windham was born with a rare disease, and spent the
majority of his 10 years in a hospital battling a genetic
disorder called Shwachman-Diomand syndrome.
The young trooper became a member of the Texas Military
Department, just two years prior, at the age of eight, during an
honorary enlistment ceremony at Camp Mabry, where he was awarded the
military occupation specialties of Cavalry Scout and Apache Pilot.
“Thank you and this is the best day ever of my whole entire
life,” Windham said in front of hundreds of people, following his
enlistment ceremony in March of 2015.
On Dec. 15, 2016,
Windham took his final breath at the Seattle Children's Hospital,
following complications from two consecutive bone marrow
transplants.
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January 24, 2017 - Texas Military Department conducts final roll
call ceremony, for the honorary Texas Army National Guard Spc. Rowan
Jameson Windham at Camp Mabry in Austin, Texas. Traditionally, the
ceremony includes a visible reminder of the deceased soldier. In
this case a wooden cross and gear stand, signals a time for prayer,
a break in action to pay tribute to their comrade. (U.S. Army
National Guard photo by Sgt. Elizabeth Pena)
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A native Texan, Windham was an avid, thespian, video
gamer, Lego builder, chef, Bigfoot fan and philanthropist
who touched the lives of thousands around the world.
He is survived by his father Brian, his mother Carrie,
his sister Zoe, his brother Ian, family members, friends and
Texas Guardsmen across the force.
By U.S. Army National Guard Sgt. Elizabeth Pena
Texas Military Department
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2017
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