SAN ANTONIO (May 15, 2015) -- This week, the Army released two public service announcements about Memorial Day.
The PSAs, produced by Army Entertainment, a division of the U.S. Army Installation Management Command, are designed to inform the American public about the holiday's true meaning through the voices of Army leaders and surviving Family members of fallen Soldiers.
Memorial Day, observed on May 25 this year, honors military personnel who died during their service to the nation.
"People often confuse Memorial Day and Veterans Day because both holidays recognize the military," said Donna Engeman, a gold star wife and an Army Survivor Outreach Services program manager.
"Memorial Day is a time to honor the lives, courage and legacy of fallen service members," she explained. "Veterans Day is really for recognizing living military veterans."
The PSAs feature surviving Family members, Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, and Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Hatfield from the G9 Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Directorate of IMCOM.
In the videos, the Army leaders and survivors express what the holiday means to them.
"Memorial Day is not about me," Hatfield says in the video. "It's about those who lost their lives in the service and defense of this great nation."
Later, one survivor says the holiday is not about celebrations.
"It's not just a day about going out and having a picnic," she says.
Lt. Gen. David D. Halverson, Commanding General for IMCOM, agrees with their sentiments.
"As a military community, we owe it to those who have sacrificed all to keep Memorial Day reverent," he said.
IMCOM will provide the PSA in 30- and 60-second versions. The videos are slated for broadcast on military and national media outlets.
Last year, another PSA campaign featured survivors aimed to increase awareness of the Gold Star lapel button and Next of Kin of Deceased Personnel lapel button, commonly referred to as the Gold Star pins.
The Army's Survivor Outreach Services program currently supports more than 60,000 surviving military Family members. To view the PSAs and learn more about the symbols of honor worn by surviving Family members, visit www.GoldStarPins.org.
Related Links:
IMCOM G9 launches "Honor the Fallen" campaign
U.S. Army Family & Morale, Welfare and Recreation
Symbols of Honor Worn by Surviving Military Families
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