On Monday, America bows its head in thanks to our fallen heroes. We honor and reflect on those who have served and sacrificed in defense of our nation.
By honoring our men and women in uniform, we keep alive the memory of those who paid the ultimate price. We must remember those who demonstrated the courage to go in harm’s way and who put service before self. They died to keep us free.
This Memorial Day, we can honor America’s fallen heroes in a National Moment of Remembrance. At exactly 3 p.m., wherever you are, I ask that you pause for one minute of remembrance to reflect on what Memorial Day is all about. We owe a debt of gratitude and respect to those who died for our freedom.
Our Gold Star parents and family members must be assured that we shall never forget our fallen, or fail to honor them. The brave men and women who gave their lives for others were sons and daughters, mothers and fathers, and brothers and sisters.
Finally, please include the families of fallen service members when you express gratitude for our country, for our freedom, and for their sacrifice.
Freedom Team Salute offers way to remember veterans
Another Memorial Day is approaching — a time to remember all military veterans. A U.S. Army veteran myself, I currently serve as a volunteer ambassador for the U.S. Army’s Freedom Team Salute program.
Freedom Team Salute is a no-cost, Department of the Army-sponsored outreach program developed to thank all U.S. Army Veterans for their service to our country. Army Veterans who contact the program receive an official commendation package from the Secretary of the Army and Army Chief of Staff that includes a personalized letter of thanks and certificate of appreciation, an Army lapel pin, and two U.S. Army decals.
The program only needs the names of honorably discharged Army Veterans (Active, Army National Guard, Army Reserve or Army Air Corps) and mailing address. People who submit names may also include rank, if known, but it is not required.
Interested people — Veterans or others, can visit freedom teamsalute.com to register Veterans for the commendation package. The package will arrive within three to four weeks.
We’re losing Army World War II and Korea-era Veterans every day. Please join with me in honoring those Army Veterans while we still can - and younger Army Veterans, as well.
Happy Memorial Day!
Ron Adolphi
U.S. Army Freedom Team Salute Volunteer Ambassador
Franconia, Va.
