Memorial Day 2015 - Go See The Fallen

2015-05-22T08:59:10-04:00

My article on Memorial Day - Go to a VA National Cemetery:

Memorial Day is a busy holiday. The swimming pools open, everyone gets outside in the fresh air and there are lots of parties and barbeques.
This Memorial Day make a pledge to go visit the fallen and renew your understanding and appreciation for their sacrifice.
The struggle with Memorial Day is how do we make the remembrance personal, respectful, and meaningful?
On Memorial Day, we need to remember those that fell in combat during America’s conflicts. The fallen military personnel we remember could be a paratrooper jumping into the black during the invasion of Normandy in World War II, a U.S. Navy sailor who patrolled along the rivers of China in the 1920s, or members of the famed African American “Buffalo Soldiers” who served protecting settlers in the Western United States as members of the U.S. Cavalry.
No matter where they fell and how long ago they fell, we need to continue to remember them all.
We need to remember their courage, sacrifice, professionalism, dedication, and the essence that made them devote their life to their country.
We need to remember the recent fallen from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as remember those long past from the Civil War, World War I, World War II, Korea and Vietnam. In remembering the large wars, we cannot forget the “small” wars of Panama, Haiti, Somalia, Lebanon, as well as countless other small conflicts and attacks where American servicemen and servicewomen died.
Making Memorial Day real, meaningful, and personal is the essential step. The Department of Veteran’s Affairs has 131 National Cemeteries in 40 states that will be open to visit.
In those cemeteries, there are military personnel who have fallen for hundreds of years to protect America — we need to honor their sacrifice and remember them. There is nothing more compelling to understand personal sacrifice then seeing row upon row of white perfectly aligned tombstones upon a green field and knowing a Soldier, Sailor, Marine, or Airman lies there.
Make Memorial Day meaningful and personal. Go visit a National Cemetery, learn about the military personnel who fell, and remember them.

To find the closest National Cemetery by you: http://www.cem.va.gov/cems/listcem.asp

http://www.heraldandnews.com/members/forum/wire_commentary/memorial-day-visit-the-fallen/article_d3a9e56f-6da8-54dc-bec8-0444e6cc3a59.html

Response by PO1 John Miller made May 22 at 2015 9:10 AM

2015-05-22T09:10:50-04:00

Great story, thanks for sharing Sir!

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made May 22 at 2015 9:25 AM

2015-05-22T09:25:02-04:00

Thanks for sharing LTC Chad Storlie!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 22 at 2015 10:08 AM

2015-05-22T10:08:44-04:00

Thank you Sir!

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made May 22 at 2015 2:52 PM

2015-05-22T14:52:30-04:00

MEMORIAL DAY TRIBUTE ("All Gave Some" - Billy Ray Cyrus)

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=all+gave+some+memorial+day+tribute&FORM=VIRE3#view=detail&mid=5AF05D17DD7D41A4265F5AF05D17DD7D41A4265F

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made May 23 at 2015 11:44 AM

2015-05-23T11:44:25-04:00

Make time for Memorial Day's true purpose ...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/make-time-for-memorial-days-true-purpose/2015/05/22/a530b9c6-ffdc-11e4-8b6c-0dcce21e223d_story.html?hpid=z6

Make time for Memorial Day’s true purpose

What America owes its current and past defenders.

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made May 25 at 2015 8:39 AM

2015-05-25T08:39:32-04:00

Honor the Fallen

http://thefallen.militarytimes.com/

Honor The Fallen - Home Page | Military Times

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made May 25 at 2015 3:10 PM

2015-05-25T15:10:07-04:00

President Obama pays tribute to fallen service members at Arlington National Cemetery ...

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/obama-pays-tribute-to-fallen-service-members-at-arlington/ar-BBkeasj

Obama pays tribute to fallen service members at Arlington

President Barack Obama paid tribute Monday to Americans who died in battle, saying people their fellow citizens must "never stop trying to fully repay them" for their sacrifice and noting this is first Memorial Day in 14 years without U.S. forces involved in a major ground war.Speaking under sunny skies to some 5,000 people on the hallowed grounds of Arlington National Cemetery, including the relatives of the dead, Obama called the burial...

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made May 25 at 2015 7:25 PM

2015-05-25T19:25:10-04:00

Taps @ Arlington National Cemetery ...

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=taps+bugler&FORM=HDRSC3#view=detail&mid=7BAE0228F3ED347733927BAE0228F3ED34773392