ANSBACH, Germany (May 20, 2015) -- Memorial Day is dedicated to remembering the men and women who gave their lives while in military service, protecting our freedom and liberty.
Memorial Day is an American holiday that has been with us since the end of the Civil War. The holiday has come to mean different things to different people over the years. Some think of it as the first holiday of summer, a time for picnics and barbecues, or just getting out of town for a couple of days over a long weekend.
But to those of us who wear -- or have worn -- the military uniform of the United States, Memorial Day is not just a holiday; it's a day to pay tribute to our fallen men and women who served and sacrificed their lives to protect our freedom. While it may not be the most widely celebrated national day of patriotic observance, it is certainly the day we set aside to solemnly remember and pay tribute to those Americans who have willingly made the ultimate sacrifice.
Most of us here share a common bond with those we honor during this observance. We are Soldiers or are family members who support a Soldier. We answered the call to duty for many reasons, but whatever the reason, we joined a tradition of sacrifice and selfless service. We all share a love of our country and its flag. We all want to look back on our service and say that we are proud to have served our country as a Soldier. We know the possibility exists that one of us may be called upon to make the ultimate sacrifice.
Although Memorial Day is a dedicated holiday, we remember and honor our fallen Soldiers every day. As we remember and honor these brave fallen warriors, the greatest tribute we can pay is to continue our commitment to defend the legacy of freedom.
It's not just the service member's loss that we recognize. It is the loss that their friends and Families endure. It is the loss of a comrade in arms and the loss of a part of a team. As Soldiers, team members, battle buddies, friends and, particularly, our Family members, we observe and understand the full gravity of this loss better than anyone else. To our Family members who have lost a Soldier, it's important you know that Americans will always remember the sacrifices your Soldier and you made for our Nation.
As the weather warms and we venture outside to enjoy recreational activities, we don't need to lose anyone this holiday weekend to a preventable accident. Many of these activities come with risk - history shows an increase in accidents beginning with the Memorial Day weekend. I encourage all commanders and leaders to use the Off Duty Safety Awareness Presentation, https://safety.army.mil/odsap, as a tool to help themselves and their Soldiers manage risk during the summer season.
This Memorial Day, take a moment to remember America's fallen heroes and celebrate the gift they bestow to us -- freedom. We need you to celebrate freedom responsibly, always remain vigilant, and return refreshed, healthy and ready. Our Nation needs you. I wish you all a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day weekend.
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