Land and Maritime shares Memorial Day message with installation neighbor

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Under the glare of intense sunshine DLA Land and Maritime Navy Capt. Brian Ginnane spoke to Bexley, Ohio residents on Memorial Day as part of their Memorial Day celebration.

Bexley Mayor Ben Kessler spoke briefly about the importance of Memorial Day and shared his personal experience about his father’s military service and sacrifice. After concluding with a passage from one of his favorite poems Kessler introduced Ginnane to the crowd of approximately 100 residents.

As he spoke to the group Ginnane drew from his more than 20 year Navy career, which included numerous deployments, to highlight the commitment shared among service members who serve while protecting the freedoms Americans hold so dear.

Focusing the crowd’s attention on the true meaning of Memorial Day Ginnane highlighted Ohioans who made the ultimate sacrifice by giving their lives as part of that sacred service. Among those he mentioned were Bexley High school graduate Lt. Steve Zilberman who died while deployed to Afghanistan and Navy Reservist and DLA Logistics Agency employee Lt. Steve Byus who was also killed in Afghanistan.

“This is just a small example of the heroes who have ties to central Ohio and Bexley,” Ginnane said. “We honor them and all those buried around the world.”

Ginnane encouraged the veterans in the crowd to share their stories with friends and loved ones, particularly the children, so the nation’s younger generation would remember the valor, courage and integrity demonstrated by those who served and sacrificed.

Taps was played and prayers were offered to close out the program. Many of the Bexley residents spent personal time with Ginnane afterwards expressing thanks for his service, while sharing experiences of their own.

"Memorial Day"