Soldier’s Cross Ceremony

Soldier’s Cross Ceremony Script….

Remember, Honor, and Impart the Value and Price of Freedom….that is the mission for every citizen of the United States of America to embrace, who lives under the Flag of Liberty.

During our brief history as a nation, hundreds of thousands of our “finest” have laid down their lives for the cause of Freedom.

Then, approximately 83,000 over the last century alone, were captured, suffering unspeakable torment while others became missing and have not yet been found.

Meanwhile, countless others have sustained injuries, some which healed, while other wounds were life-altering, leaving the veteran to cope daily with a high level of anguish, often impossible to speak of…

Today, we honor, we remember, and we thank all of these ones who suffered on our behalf, for the cause of Liberty and most especially, those who have paid the ultimate Price for our Freedom, having given all.

At this time I would like to call your attention to the Table set before you where you will see a place setting to represent all of those who could not join us today; beside the table stands a rifle placed carefully within a pair of worn boots, capped with a helmet, while the rifle is draped with dog tags; this is known as the “Soldier’s Cross” a memorial to those who have perished in battle.

This “Soldier’s Cross” or “Battlefield Cross” has its origins dating to the Civil War in that, when soldiers were hastily buried between battles, the rifle was stabbed into the ground to mark their final resting place. Anything which identified the fallen was placed on the rifle so others would know who eternally rested there.

Today, service members on the battlefield often are unable to attend the funerals of their fallen brothers and sisters in arms, so the Battlefield Cross or Soldier’s Cross is placed in honor of those who have perished, as a way to pay their last respects.

---

Let us now review the meaning of the items which comprise the Soldiers Cross:

(Featured to the left of each element of the ceremony are members or guests of the Volunteer State Honor Guard. These images were taken by Ann M. Wolf at the event held at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, TN, the Saturday before Veteran’s Day – 2015, where the Volunteer State Honor Guard was in charge of the program. These images are of the Soldier’s Cross Ceremony which was a part of the events held that day; these same images are also located in the Gallery below where you can click and read the names of each participant.)

---

  The Rifle: The rifle, bayonet affixed, is the most important tool to a United States fighting man or woman. It is the core to their livelihood and key to their survival. It is thrust into the ground signifying that the one being remembered died in battle, fighting to the end. It also signifies that the battle is over when the rifle is left this way.

---

   The Boots: The boots carry a service member through the fight for our freedom. They are the first and most important means of transportation. The boots are placed at the base of the rifle. They are worn and dirty reminding us of that final march to that last battle.

---

   Dog Tags: Dog tags are worn by each service member; they have imprinted into them, all of the important identifying information regarding that individual. The dog tags are hung from the rifle, so that the name of the fallen will never be forgotten.

---

   The Helmet: The helmet is an important piece of protection on the battlefield. Some believe that the hat or helmet of the individual represents what that person stood for; and so the helmet is placed on top of the rifle signifying that the battle is over and that a great sacrifice has been made. It will never be worn again.

---

   The Soldier’s Cross or Battlefield Cross… stands in tribute and memory as we honor, we remember, and never forget….

This ceremony has been created as a joint effort between Chaplain Ann M. Wolf and Combat Veteran Brad Heun, of Tennessee’s Volunteer State Honor Guard, who has graciously given Ann M. Wolf permission to incorporate his research and thoughts into this presentation. To read more scroll and see below.