Originally known as Decoration Day, Memorial Day originated in the years following the Civil War and was established to honor U.S. military personnel who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. Americans across the globe pause to honor the sacrifice of generations of men and women who have died for the cause of freedom. It is a somber occasion, but also a hopeful one that renews our commitment to service. Thank you for what you do every day to ensure their legacy endures.
This holiday weekend also marks the traditional start of summer and all that it entails, both on and off duty. Summertime brings about warm-weather adventures, such as boating, hiking, and swimming, and many vacations or quick getaways over extended weekends like this one. With these adventures come increased risk, and we must mitigate these risks and make good decisions in all we do.
Leaders, stay engaged and know what your Soldiers’ plans entail; there is no way for you to know if you never ask. Soldiers, take ownership of your personal safety and make smart risk decisions while looking out for your buddies. Lead by example; don’t just encourage safe behaviors but demonstrate them every day!
As you plan your summer activities, the U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center is here to help with risk assessment tools. The 2024 Off-Duty Safety Awareness Presentation is now available and includes ready-to-use safety briefs, including speaker notes, on topics such as PMV-2, PMV-4, privately owned weapons, home safety, and pedestrian safety. Although the presentation and speaker notes can be used as is, you can also add or delete slides and modify the notes to suit your presentation style or to reflect what is happening in your unit. Another new tool available is Safety Shorts, accessible via the new Safety Brief Tools tab. These are one-slide briefings with quick video clips and safety tips for individual topics, such as motorcycle, open water, and ladder safety. They are accessible via a smartphone or tablet with no CAC required. Both of these and additional resources are available on our website: www.safety.army.mil.
We wish you and yours a safe, healthy, and enjoyable Memorial Day weekend as we remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Have a safe summer in the upcoming months and thank you again for your service to our nation.
BE ALL YOU CAN BE - Readiness Through Safety!
Jonathan C. Byrom
Brigadier General, USA
Commanding
SIGNED USACRC Memorial Day 2024 Message ELD v2.pdf [PDF - 100.9 KB]
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