Gold Star families remembered in special ceremony ahead of Memorial Day

U.S. Army Special Operations Command Memorial Wall at Fort Bragg bears the names of members of the Special Operations Command who died in military operations around the world, including Iraq and America's longest war in Afghanistan.

Posted 5:46 p.m. May 26, 2022 — Updated 5:46 p.m. May 26, 2022

By

Gilbert Baez

, WRAL Fayetteville reporter

FORT BRAGG, N.C. — Monday is Memorial Day, but military leaders at Fort Bragg aren't waiting to honor their fallen heroes.

U.S. Army Special Operations Command Memorial Wall at Fort Bragg bears the names of members of the Special Operations Command who died in military operations around the world, including Iraq and America's longest war in Afghanistan.

Ceremony honoring soldiers from Special Operations

Gold Star Family members came from all of the county Thursday to take part in a special memorial ceremony. Wreaths were placed in front of the wall honoring the fallen.

Staff Sgt. Ryan Knauss is the latest name added to the wall. He was a member of the 8th Psychological Operations Group. He was killed in August of last year during an enemy attack in Kabul, Afghanistan.

His father told me his son had a personality and smile that would light up a room.

"He was all about trying to be the best, fitness wise, in his classes. He got tore up if he didn't get the best grades," said Greg Knauss. "He was fun to be around. He found his niche in psyops and was loving what he did."

Staff Sgt. Knauss enlisted in the Army in 2016.

His father said one of his son's proudest moments was when he qualified to become a member of the Special Operations Command at Fort Bragg.

The ceremony last for about an hour, then Gold Star Family members had a chance to place roses at the base of the wall where they loved one's names are inscribed and will always be remembered.

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