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Gold Star Family Members Release Butterflies
by U.S. Army Chad Menegay, Garrison Fort Lee Public Affairs
May 30, 2022
As a symbol of transfiguration and hope,
the graceful and elegantly winged butterfly is a living metaphor of
renewal and resurrection by which the soul transcends the physical
world.
With that existential thought in mind, the Survivor
Outreach Services office here conducted its latest annual observance
in which Gold Star Family members released live painted lady
butterflies in tribute to their fallen loved ones.
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A Gold Star Family member releases a painted lady butterfly during a May 25,
2022 commemoration ceremony held at Fort Lee’s Memorial Garden. The Butterfly Release, conducted annually just ahead of Memorial Day, honors fallen loved ones who sacrificed their lives while serving in the U.S. military. More than 50 Gold Star Family members attended the emotional Survivor Outreach Services-hosted event. (U.S. Army photo by Chad Menegay, Garrison Fort Lee Public Affairs)
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The Butterfly Release took place May 25,
2022 at the Fort Lee Memorial Garden as a pre-Memorial Day
celebration of life and afterlife amid both tears and laughter.
“This is a special observance to honor and remember our military
men and women who made a sacrifice to this nation,” announced Fort
Lee Garrison Commander Col. Karin L. Watson in opening remarks. “As
Memorial Day approaches, we look to honor those who died while
serving our country, and we offer our heartfelt support to every
survivor.”
The annual Butterfly Release is also a public show
of respect and gratitude to the immediate spouses, children,
mothers, fathers or siblings of a fallen service member who died
while serving his or her country in uniform.
“While everyone
else is having their barbecues and family gatherings all in the name
of having a holiday off, just remember what Memorial Day is truly
about,” said Marion Tate, the widow of Staff Sgt. Sheldon Tate who
was killed in action on July 13, 2010, during an insurgent attack on
an Afghan police compound in Kandahar City. “We know many don’t get
it, but we will always have each other and our families to celebrate
their lives.”
About 50 surviving family members attended this
year’s emotional observance. During the ceremony, they took turns
stepping up to the microphone to speak the names of their deceased loved
ones. Several base leaders, service members, civilian staff and
community supporters respectfully observed the proceedings.
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About 50 surviving family members stand in a circle during an emotional Butterfly Release observance May 25,
2022 at a dedicated Memorial Garden on Fort Lee, Virginia. Also in attendance were several base leaders, service members, civilian staff and community supporters.
(Image created by USA Patriotism! from U.S. Army photo by Chad Menegay, Garrison Fort Lee Public Affairs.)
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“I am reminded of the Wreaths Across
America quote that says, ‘A person dies twice: once when they take
their final breath, and later, the last time their name is spoken,’”
Watson reflected. “That’s why this event is so important. It allows
our community to see faces and hear each name of those who have
given so much to our country.”
The Memorial Garden showcased
portraits of the fallen service members, flanked by meticulously
aligned rows of U.S. flags, and Gold Star Family members standing in
a circle around a large, sculptured water fountain. Individual
survivors released the orange and black colored butterflies into a
crisp, 60-degree Fahrenheit sky, with many butterflies holding on to
the fingers of survivors for several minutes before flying off onto
nearby trees and flowers.
Survivor Outreach Services
regularly emphasizes to the family members of the fallen that they
will remain continually linked to the Army community for as long as
they desire.
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