A Message from the Senior Commander - Memorial Day Safety

By NSSC PAOMay 24, 2022

Natick Teammates,

Memorial Day is a day of national awareness and solemn reverence, a day for us to honor the military women and men who gave their lives in defense of our Nation, its values, and our freedom. Memorial Day gives us the opportunity to stop and think about brave Americans who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our great nation.

For many, this weekend marks the unofficial start to summer and a time to have a barbecue and spend time with family and friends. For service members and Army civilians, it means a weekend filled with parades, patriotic speeches, flag and wreath laying, and ceremonies.

Memorial Day was first observed after the Civil War and was called “Decoration Day” because Families typically remembered their loved ones by decorating gravesites with flowers or flags. We still do that across America today from the Soldiers from the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment - The Old Guard – who place small American flags at every grave marker in Arlington National Cemetery to right here in Natick where many of you have volunteered to place flags and wreaths at Veteran graves throughout our community.

In proclaiming the first Decoration Day in 1868, General John Logan, National Commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, wrote that we should not only remember those “who died in defense of their country,” but to also, “renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us…the widows and orphans.”

While there are many ways to observe the Memorial Day weekend, the true significance of this holiday cannot be forgotten. At 3:00 p.m. on May 30, there is National Moment of Remembrance that the Nation is invited to observe. This small, simple gesture allows us to stop and honor those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we enjoy.

I wish you and your family a safe and meaningful Memorial Day.

Senior Commander's Safety Message - Memorial Day 2022.pdf [PDF - 329.3 KB]

Army Safe is Army Strong!

People First! Winning Matters!

Winning Together Matters More!

DAVID C. TRYBULA

“Prometheus 6”

Brigadier General

USA  Commanding