Memorial Day 2022: Honor And Remember Those Who Gave Their Lives In Defense Of Our Country

In the above Defense Department photo, a service member salutes while helping to place U.S. flags at every gravesite at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia during Flags In, on May 26, 2022. 

The pre-Memorial Day tradition honors the nations fallen heroes began in 1948. 

Note: The above photo was taken by Elizabeth Fraser, U.S. Army.

"Flags In": Flags Placed On Headstones At Arlington National Cemetery For Memorial Day

In the above and below Defense Department photos, soldiers assigned to the 3rd Infantry Regiment, known as "The Old Guard," place American flags at headstones in Arlington National Cemetery on May 27th.

The tradition, known as "Flags In," is held prior to Memorial Day to honor the nation's fallen veterans.

Vice President Pence Says America Owes Vets A Debt, Promises Stronger Military

Jim Garamone at the DoD News offers the below piece:

ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY, Va., Nov. 11, 2017 — From the dawn of the Republic, the United States has depended upon its veterans, and it owes them a debt of honor that must be paid, Vice President Mike Pence said today at the annual Veterans Day ceremony here.

He stood in for President Donald J. Trump, who is attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings in Da Nang, Vietnam.

Pence noted that some 50 million Americans have worn the cloth of the United States since 1775, with 20 million of them alive today. “From the hour of our nation’s birth, our best and bravest have stepped forward to defend our freedom,” he said. “And as we speak, a new generation of American veterans is being forged across the wider world.”

The United States owes a debt to veterans, and “it’s a debt we can never fully repay. But on this Veterans Day we rededicate ourselves to accomplishing just that,” Pence said.

Veterans return from service to the nation to serve their communities, he said.

Pence said the administration has been working hard on delivering the services – especially medical assistance – that veterans need and deserve. “Working with Secretary [David] Shulkin, we’ve made the Department of Veterans Affairs already more efficient, effective, and accountable,” the vice president said.

“Let me be clear: Veterans benefits are not entitlements -- they are earned. They are the ongoing compensation for services rendered in the uniform of the United States of America. And under President Donald Trump, we’re keeping the promises that we’ve made to men and women who’ve served in our armed forces,” he said.

Veterans Choice Program

Pence noted the administration has expanded the Veterans Choice Program by more than $2 billion to give beneficiaries access to real-time, high-quality healthcare. “And because not all wounds of war are visible, we’ve improved veterans’ access to urgent mental healthcare services and given them greater access to telemedicine for our veterans,” he said.

The president also signed into law the VA Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act to ensure veterans receive the highest level of service. “And this president has taken decisive action to end the pattern of neglect and mistreatment at the VA,” Pence said. “We’ve already fired or suspended over 1,500 VA employees for negligent behavior.”

Trump has also signed legislation to expand the post-9/11 GI Bill and eliminate the 15-year limit on benefits for new veterans. “And I’m glad to report, veteran unemployment has already fallen by nearly 40 percent since President Trump was elected,” he said. “It’s lower today than at any point since the year 2000. And we're just getting started.”

Veterans return from service to the nation ready to serve in communities. “Today, our veterans continue to serve our nation in careers ranging from business to education, from law enforcement to public service,” Pence said.

Keep Your Wits

He related an example of service from the tragedy in Texas. “On Wednesday, Karen and I traveled to Sutherland Springs, Texas, to meet the families and the victims of the worst attack on a place of worship in American history,” the vice president said. “At Brooke Army Medical Center, we stood at the bedside of a retired U.S. Marine Corps gunnery sergeant named Juan Macias. We spoke to his family, as he lay before us, recovering from his injuries. But it was from another member of the church that we learned of that veteran’s extraordinary courage last Sunday.

“Julie Workman, a registered nurse, was also wounded in the First Baptist Church that day,” Pence continued. “But no sooner had the attacker left that she began to treat the wounded. Seeing what lay before her, though, Julie told me she was momentarily overcome, and that’s when “Gunny” stepped in. Despite having five bullet wounds, she told me that Gunny sat up, looked her in the eye and said, ‘You were born for this, keep your wits about you, do your job.’ She said that’s all she needed to hear. Heroism outlives the uniform. And her actions and his courage undoubtedly saved lives that day. That’s an American veteran.”

Veterans of the future are serving today, and the vice president said the administration has already taken decisive action to make the strongest military in the history of the world, stronger still. “This President has already signed the largest increase in military spending in nearly a decade, and before this year is out, we’ll enact the largest investment in our national defense since the days of Ronald Reagan,” he said.

“And under President Donald Trump, I’ll make you a promise: We’re going to rebuild our military. We're going to restore the arsenal of democracy, and we will once again give our soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen the resources and training they need to accomplish their mission and come home safe,” Pence said. “That's our promise to all of you.” 

Note: You can click on the above DoD photos to enlarge.

Memorial Day Photo

The above Defense Department photo shows Brittany, left, and her son, Christian, 4, visit the grave of her husband and his father, U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Christopher Jacobs, on Memorial Day in Section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., May 25, 2015.

Christian is wearing his father's cover.

My Philadelphia Inquirer Review Of "Brothers Forever"

My review of Brothers Forever apeared in the Philadelphia Inquirer.

In James A. Michener's 1953 novel The Bridges of Toko-Ri, a carrier jet pilot and two rescue helicopter pilots are killed in action during the Korean War. Upon hearing of the pilots' deaths, the carrier task force admiral wonders why America was lucky enough to have such men.

"Where do we get such men?" the admiral asks himself.

Brothers Forever is a book that may answer that question. It's a book one should read to learn more about the military people who volunteer to serve and sacrifice their lives in America's far-off conflicts.

You can read the rest of the review below:

Note: You can click on the above to enlarge.

Flags In: Memorial Day Weekend Event At Arlington National Cemetery

In the above photo a soldier of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, known as "The Old Guard," places flags in front of headstones during Flags In, an annual event before Memorial Day at Arlington National Cemetery, Va. on May 22, 2014.

 

The above U.S. Army photo was taken  by Klinton Smith.

 

Saluting Troops On Armed Forces Day

Amaani Lyle at the American Forces Press Service offers the below piece on Armed Forces Day:

ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY, Va., May 17, 2014 - The senior enlisted advisor to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff praised military members serving worldwide and recognized the sacrifices of fallen warriors in remarks following an Armed Forces Day wreath laying ceremony here today.

Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Bryan B. Battaglia joined the services' senior enlisted leaders, each of whom affixed their seals to the ceremonial wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns as the U.S. Army Band played Taps.

"Like many burial grounds, here are housed and harbored America's heroes -- the hundreds of thousands of men and women who for more than 238 years proudly wore the cloth of our nation," Battaglia said.

The sergeant major said that President Harry S. Truman led the effort to establish a single-day opportunity for citizens to thank service members for their patriotism in defense of the nation.

On Aug. 31, 1949, Battaglia said, Defense Secretary Louis Johnson announced the creation of Armed Forces Day, a single-day celebration recognized annually on the third Saturday in May.

"The wreath we laid, placed in honor of our fallen and because our comrades in arms who rest here throughout the rolling hills and sacred grounds, though in spirit ... still serve ... we celebrate Armed Forces Day with them," Battaglia said.

Arlington Cemetery, he said, is a proper place to observe Armed Forces Day.

"Here we are encircled among those brave and courageous men and women past and present, currently serving, active and Reserve, National Guard, living veterans and our fallen who proudly serve our country," he said. "What ... better place for us to thank those in uniform who play such a critical part protecting America's freedom and liberty and those entrusted with safe-guarding our national code?"

Battaglia also recognized deployed service members, who he said are "standing the watch, patrolling the perimeters, and eliminating the threat."