by Tanya Queiro, 2009 Military Spouse of the Year

Military Names Steeped in Valor and Sacrifice

What’s in a name? It seems as though a large number of us are unconsciously consumed with names. Soon-to-be parents search endlessly through thick novels of potential names for their unborn child. Others hear a name of a foreign origin and immediately ask, “What background is that name from?” Still others proudly hand down and defend their family names from generation to generation.

Once you begin to ponder names, you realize agencies throughout the world task marketing divisions and public affairs to coin an appealing name, one that catches the eye of their intended audience and piques curiosity in others. Unlike most, military commands, facilities, streets, schools and other named items do not seek publicity. They do no seek a catchy logo or to make a “quick buck.” From an individual or unit’s leadership, blood, sweat, tears and sacrifice, a name is recognized in the military.  

As I was entering a building at Camp Lejeune, I asked myself, why is this facility called the “Ball Center?” I discovered the facility was named after Gunnery Sgt. Terry W. Ball Jr., 36, of East Peoria, Ill. He died Aug. 5, 2005, from wounds received as a result of an explosion while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Al Karmah, Iraq, on June 12, 2005. My curiosity of the “Ball Center” then snowballed into countless other questions into how certain units got their names, why our installation was named after the 13th Commandant of the United States Marine Corps, and on, and on, and on.

My challenge to you is the next time you visit a military installation, enter a military facility, or drive down a military street, remember that behind each name is a history steeped in the rich tradition, valor and sacrifice of our beloved service members who serve our country faithfully.

God bless our veterans! God bless our military families! God bless America!

E-mail me at tanya@milspouse.com.