Happy Memorial Day, y’all!! While I totally get that today and the three-day weekend in general is the unofficial start of Summer and that it is mostly celebrated with parties and BBQs, I think it’s very important that we take time out today to pause to remember what Memorial Day is really all about. So many brave women and men have fought and sacrificed in the defense of our country and today is our day to honor them. If you do nothing else today, please take a moment to say thanks:
Heroes star Milo Ventimiglia, the son of a Vietnam vet, helped launch an organization called Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America that is the nation’s first and largest organization that is devoted to our troops committed to the two wars that our country is involved in right now. Here is the full text of the IAVA’s press release about today’s observance of Memorial Day:
Today, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the country’s first and largest nonpartisan organization for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, issued the following statement on the upcoming Memorial Day Holiday:
“Even after almost eight years of war, too many Americans see Memorial Day as just another summer holiday. Memorial Day should mean much more than barbeques and clearance sales. It marks a solemn day of remembrance for the more than one million American service members of all generations who, on the field of battle, made the ultimate sacrifice,” said IAVA Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff. “IAVA is honored to join our Commander-in-Chief, other veterans’ organizations, and families of the fallen in the wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. We are humbled to have this opportunity to pay our respects to the generations of Americans warriors who have given their lives in defense of our country.”
In addition to participating in events nationwide, IAVA has created an online ‘Wall of Remembrance‘ where people can submit what Memorial Day means to them, or text or tweet a message of support to our troops and veterans. For more information on the Memorial Day events IAVA will be participating in or to visit the Wall of Remembrance, click HERE.
But the Iraq and Afghanistan vets are not the only troops we honor today … all women and men who have served in the defense of our country are honored today and I’m just hoping that all y’all take some time to recognize that. If you would like more info on the IAVA you can visit their website HERE.
Happy Memorial Day … and to the troops who have served or are currently serving our country, from the bottom of my heart, thank you!
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