May 30, 2011- Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday of May and is often a weekend of sales, beach trips, and cookouts. Memorial Day marks the beginning of the Summer season. At least, that what it has devolved into.
From 1775 to present there have been 1,343,812 American military members killed in wars. Of these, 848,163 were killed in combat. Roughly speaking, that's over 15 military members for every day since the American Revolution began at Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775.
But, what about these men and women who gave their lives so the freedoms we enjoy could endure? Have we forgotten them? How can we show that we honor the sacrifice they made on our behalf?
On Memorial Day, the U.S. flag only flies at half-staff for the first half of the day, and then is raised to full height from noon to sundown. This unique custom honors the war dead for the morning, and living veterans for the rest of the day. At 3:00PM on Memorial Day the nation stops for a moment of remembrance.
So please, fly your flag and make the moment of remembrance a part of your plans in honor of those who gave everything they had to give to make our freedom possible.
~~Charlie Price, a vet
Of late many of us are vastly ignorant of the greatest contribution to Americans and the world which comes not from those who entertain or purport to lead us, but comes from the everyday man and woman, offers up their life in defense of America's goodness and others.
We at home have a moral duty to get and keep our national house in order while our neighbors, at our request, are off protecting it.
A headstone above is my uncle Floyd's. Our family would be vastly different if he were with us. America and the world are vastly different because he isn't.
May God bless them all.
~~ Martin Boire, a civilian
Helmand Province, Afghanistan, March 15, 2011 -Â "Dear Members of Support Our Troops, On behalf of 3d Battalion, 5th Marines -the Darkhorse- I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your generosity and personal efforts to support my Marines and Sailors on our recent deployment to Helmand Province, Afghanistan. To begin with, please accept my apologies for this all-too impersonal letter, but with on-going combat operations and the sheer volume of support from patriots like you, I cannot hope to write a personal note for the thousands of packages we have received from all over America.
Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, May 2011: "Hey Boy Scouts! just wanted to let you know that a few of your care packages made it to the Pat Tillman Memorial USO and Bob Graham Afghanistan. Thank you very much for your thoughtfulness. Our troops really appreciate your support." Sincerely C. Ganley.
Iraq, May 18, 2011:Â "Hello Patriots! I am the HHC Commander of the 77th Sustainment Brigade. Our unit is currently deployed to Iraq. We have around 300 Soldiers currently deployed. The Soldiers in the Liberty Unit are from all over the United States, but are primarily from New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. The 77th is a logistics unit charged with a very important role in the responsible drawdown in Iraq. The Soldiers are great Americans! We thank you for all that you have done for us in the past and look forward to your support over the remainder of the deployment. I would like to personally thank you for supporting my Soldiers as well as all of the other Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors, Coast Guardsmen, and Marines deployed around the world. Your support and appreciation makes a world of difference during deployments. The Soldiers of the 77th thank you!"
Sincerely, Captain Wesley -----, HHC Commander, 77th Sustainment Brigade.
Editor's Note: Care goods sent to us and marked for the 77th will be forwarded specifically to this brigade.
Thanks to Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, and civilians across America, veterans are finding flavorful thank-yous in the waiting areas and medical treatment rooms in VA facilities across America.
New York, April 5, 2011-
"Greetings, The purpose of this e-mail is to simply show my gratitude for this organization. It is truly a blessing to have such a dedicated organization that cares and provides for our troops are much as Support Our Troops® does. Not only does it have a strong support system for the troops but it also simplifies the donation process. I have friends that have been able to donate through the website and I believe it is essential to have more organizations as this one dedicated to help those that serve our country on a daily basis by putting their own lives on the line to protect ours!"Â Regards, Jasmel D.