In 1866, some of the first Decoration Day ceremonies were held in Columbus, Mississippi and Waterloo, New York to honor those that died during the Civil War. Later renamed Memorial Day and expanded to include those who have died in all American wars, this tradition has always included a somber remembrance of service members who have made the ultimate sacrifice. As we continue this tradition one-hundred and fifty years later, I encourage each of you to reflect on the significance of this day to the Nation, our Command, and our individual freedoms as Americans.
Whether we observe this holiday by participating in the National Memorial Day Observance at Arlington National Cemetery or by enjoying well-deserved time-off, many of us will also be celebrating the unofficial beginning of the summer season, with warmer weather and summer breaks just around the corner. With the increased outdoor activities and travel, however, often come increased risks and off-duty accidents. I encourage all leaders to use the safety resource provided at http://go.usa.gov/cJf4A to discuss these risks with your co-workers and mitigate them during this critical season.
I ask all of you to practice risk management and good judgment throughout the summer, especially when using the roadways. Driving vehicles is undoubtedly the most hazardous thing many of us do on a regular basis, and the Army's Travel Risk Planning System (https://trips.safety.army.mil) is a mandatory tool that can help.
As we continue to execute numerous important missions and approach one of our busiest timeframes as a command and, we need each of you to remain safe and healthy. I hope that each of you have a safe summer season and an enjoyable holiday weekend.
Bradley A. Becker
MG, US Army
Commanding
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