Silence fell through the crowd as a bell rang 49 times during a ceremony in honor of fallen service members at the Top O’ the Mar in Asan, Guam Sept. 27.

Gold Star families gathered for the annual “Bells Across America” ceremony for fallen service members to honor the memory of their loved ones and other heroes who died in the region while on active duty.

Rear Adm. Shoshana Chatfield, commander, Joint Region Marianas, addressed families of the fallen and reminded those in attendance to always remember the service and sacrifice of every Sailor, Airmen, Marine, Soldier and Coast Guardsman.

“When the bell tolls for every fallen hero who gave their life for our nation, let us hold our heads high and always give thanks for the men and women who came before us, who gave their lives for future generations,” she said. “Their voices, their dreams and their spirits propel us forward to continue their important work, the daily mission, the unwavering fight.”

JRM’s Command Master Chief Lisa Tisdale read the names of fallen service members from Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of Palau, and those who died while on duty in the region.

Gold Star mother Dorothea Jesus attended the ceremony in honor of her son Army Sgt. Jesse Castro, who died while serving in Iraq Dec. 6, 2006.

“It touches my heart that they are not forgotten,” she said. “It’s not just remembering our heroes, but all the service [members] who are fighting right now, fighting for our freedom.”

Get more information about the Navy from US Navy Facebook or Twitter.

For more news from U.S. Naval Forces, Marianas, visit www.navy.mil/.