As you know less than a week away is Memorial Day. It’s a day of remembrance for those who have died in service to our nation. Death is not an easy subject nor one we want to talk about, but it’s real, it happens. On the upcoming National Day of Remembrance, services are held around the globe honoring those patriots who have fought and died in preserving our nation’s freedoms and helping our Allies prevent tyranny. One of our most sacred and hallowed grounds for these patriots is Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, DC. It is the final resting place for over 330,000 of America’s finest men and women. It is also the home of the Tomb of the Unknowns, where the (The Old Guard) provides a constant 24/7 vigil, guarding the tomb with a sentry of the highest caliber. It is considered a true honor to be able to pay your respects on Memorial Day at Arlington National Cemetery.
Another beautiful yet solemn and sobering place is the Vietnam Wall Memorial.
From September 26, 1959 to April 30, 1975, a military conflict occurred in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. This war paid the cost with HUGE consequences being that of human lives. When many Vets returned to America they were treated with contempt and some even spat on. Americans had been polluted in their views over the war by the media and some felt it was an unnecessary war making emotions run high causing people to become disillusioned. Unfortunately the returning Veterans took the impact and were not treated with the respect they so deserved. The dreadfulness and pain of that war is forever carved in their souls.
The Vietnam War Memorial became the first part of a great healing process for all Americans, especially the Vietnam Veterans who only asked that we respect what they were told to do and the fact that they didn’t have a choice. The absolute simplicity of the Vietnam War Memorial contrasts so dramatically with the complexity of emotions it evokes. This memorial is neither politicizing nor glorifying the Vietnam War, it simply pays honor to the many brave Americans who served their country in a dismal place half way around the world
In the wall words are inscribed “Freedom isn’t free, you will never be forgotten”. You may be reading those words this Memorial Day as a visiting family member or friend is placing pictures, flowers, trinkets or notes along the wall and George Jones sang a song Fifty thousand names on the wall, some of those lyrcis reed ” There's teddy bears and high school rings and old photographs that mamas bring Of daddies with their young boy, playing ball. There's combat boots,he used to wear, When he was sent over there. And there's 50,000 names, carved in the wall.
And in the distance from the Vietnam wall you can see the WWII Memorial across the reflecting pond.
The National World War II Memorial is dedicated to Americans who served in the armed forces and as civilians during World War II. Consisting of 56 pillars and a pair of small triumphal arches surrounding a plaza and fountain, it is located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C There are many days you will see a group of WWII Veterans in wheel chairs. There are many organizations that take them , One of is called Honor Flights. I have personally been there and witnessed many events at the memorials ; The Veterans proudly paraded in one by one, many in wheel chairs – all sporting a pin, hat or patch significant to their branch of service and units. It is an emotional experience when you see their faces, knowing their background and trying to understand their plight from years ago.
I watched and observed true patriotism as visiting Nashville country singer Lucas Hoge helped an ailing WWII Veteran in a wheel chair stand. He refused to stay seated while the colors were presented and TAPS was played -- Lucas held the man up as he leaned on his arm and proudly payed military honors. Lucas has been a huge supporter of our troops traveling to the Middle East during war to bring entertainment to our troops. He continues to devote his time to those currently serving and our veterans. His song, “Medal of Honor” speaks volumes and has become a huge success in honoring those who serve this great Nation. We are honored to have the privilege of playing it here on Armed Forces Weekly.
The Freedom Wall is on the west side of the WWII memorial, with a view of the Reflecting Pool and Lincoln Memorial behind it. The wall has 4,048 gold stars, each representing 100 Americans who died in the war. In front of the wall lies the message "Here we mark the price of freedom"
Today if you do go to Arlington National Cemetery, you will see it is also a resting place for approximately ten percent of the more than 3,500 soldiers who lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan .
Section 60 is where the soldiers from Iraq and Afghanistan are laid to rest. It’s an active area, filled with photos, letters and personal mementos, but not seen by most of Arlington’s millions of tourists.
Gina lost her son Eric in Iraq and visits his grave in Section 60 every week and writes him letters. One letter said, “There is peacefulness about this place. It is quiet and beautiful and special. I am so proud that you are buried here at Arlington. I want the world to know that you are a hero. People need to know the real cost of war – the real cost of freedom – the real sacrifice our service men and women make. They need to know the sacrifice of the people left behind.”
Over the graves, families meet and console one another. There is an immediate understanding among them. Sometimes they talk, sometimes they hug, and sometimes they just give each other the space to mourn.
Section 60 has become a gathering place for those who have lost loved ones, encouraging them to bond and develop support networks. It is a type of support needed by each and every family member who has lost a loved one to war.
When a service member is lost, the pain and suffering can be overwhelming for the families. And though it often may not feel that way, they are not alone. Although each story is unique, there are common experiences and feelings that connect the wives and other family members of the fallen as they learn to cope with their loss and to be a source of strength for themselves and others.
There are organizations that can help, through peer support, grief counseling referrals, youth programs and many other caring resources.
The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors
TAPS is the 24/7 tragedy assistance resource for ANYONE who has suffered the loss of a military loved one, regardless of the relationship to the deceased or the circumstance of the death.
Founded out of tragedy in 1994, TAPS has established itself as the front line resource to the families and loved ones of our military men and women. TAPS provides comfort and care through comprehensive services and programs including peer based emotional support, case work assistance, connections to community-based care, and grief and trauma resources.
Taps has assisted over 40,000 surviving family members, casualty officers and caregivers.
TAPS.ORG
American Gold Star Mothers
Mothers of fallen service members began calling themselves "Gold Star Mothers" during the First World War, but the sorrowful bond they share reaches back to every woman who has lost a son or daughter in uniform since our nation's revolution. The Army cherishes the mothers of its Soldiers as bedrocks of support and comfort, and honors the mothers of its fallen as resilient legacies of their children's service.
Goldstarmoms.com
Gold Star Wives of America is an organization of widows and widowers whose spouses died while on active duty in the military services or as the result of a military service connected cause.
The organization began in 1945 by the war widows of World War II.
It is a Congressional chartered, non-profit organization incorporated in the State of New York. Eleanor Roosevelt signed the original Gold Star Wives incorporation papers.
Their mission is to provide service, support and friendship to the widows and widowers of military personnel who died on active duty or as the result of a service connected cause.
GoldStarWives.org
The American Hospice Foundation has a Grief Center and "Ask Helen" section that offer information on dealing with the grief of losing loved ones.
For children, the American Hospice Foundation's booklet, Our Loved One Died Serving Our Country which you can find in a PDF file you can download, provides a process for keeping the fallen loved one close at heart.
AmericanHospice. org
And if you are looking for something to do locally there is an annual Wouned Veteran Run in Folsom. The run was created by a young woman named Courtney Keys Hostal whose brother was wouned in Afghanistan. Courtney was looking for an avenue to help facilitate other wounded warriors, along with her brother. She is a personal trainer and wanted to capitalize on her strengths to bring strength to others in the recovery and healing process. Witnessing the spirit and never quit attitude of the hundreds of wounded warriors at Walter Reed and observing the advances in medical technology, Courtney was personally inspired to start a 5K run fundraising event to further assist wounded warriors. This annual event keeps growing bigger and better every year. Why? Because it is worth it and near and dear to her heart –her brother Adam’s recovery and that of his brothers in arms is so very important to her! I am happy to say Courtney is our guest on the show today.
This Memorial Day, let us pause to remember that freedom is not free and it comes with a heavy price, the blood and treasure of our country. Through the ultimate sacrifice of many brave men and women throughout our amazing history, we are and continue to be the best nation in the world. God Bless all those who have served, continue to serve and those stepping up to serve. This Monday, we thank all Soldiers, Sailors, Airman, Marines, Coastguardsman, civilians and their families that serve our great nation. We are the home of the free, because of the brave!!! Never forget!
We are going to a commercial break and when we come back my darling friend Courtney is here to tell her and her brothers story. We will be right back.
