As yet another Memorial Day weekend draws to a close, and after so many have so eloquently expressed their thoughts on the meaning and history of Memorial Day, perhaps a few images is all that is left to “say” — after watching and listening to President Obama’s Memorial Day remarks at Arlington National Cemetery, below.
A soldier salutes the grave of a Medal of Honor winner during the annual “Flags In” ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, Va., May 22, 2014. The soldier is assigned to the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, known as “The Old Guard.” U.S. Army photo by Spc. Cody W. Torkelson
Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, salutes while Caleb Johnson performs the nation anthem during the National Memorial Day Concert at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., May 25, 2014.
A soldier of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, known as “The Old Guard,” places flags in front of headstones during Flags In, an annual event before Memorial Day at Arlington National Cemetery, Va., May 22, 2014. U.S. Army photo by Klinton Smith
Master-at-Arms 1st Class Justin Shinn, from Portland, Ore., cleans a veteran’s gravestone at the Marysville Cemetery during a CPO 365 community service project to coincide with Memorial Day. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jeffry A. Willadsen)
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, right, stops to chat with veteran Peter P. Ruplenas as he arrives at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to deliver remarks at the National Reading of the Names: Post 9/11 Heroes ceremony in Washington, D.C., May 24, 2014. Ruplenas served during World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam War as a combat photographer. The ceremony honored the memory of the more than 6,800 U.S. service members killed since the 9/11 terrorist attacks. DOD photo by Glenn Fawcett
Memorial Day is not the only day to honor our fallen heroes:
Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Ray Odierno gives his condolences to the wife of fallen Soldier, Staff Sgt. Kenneth “Wade” Bennett during the Explosive Ordnance 45th Annual Memorial Service at the Kauffman EOD Training Complex on Eglin Air Force Base, FL, May 3, 2014. Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Steve Cortez
“Memorial Day is a US federal holiday wherein those who died during their service in the United States Armed Forces are remembered. This video portrays the oath of enlistment every Marine takes before earning their Eagle, Globe and Anchor and shows the sacrifices they make on the battle field to keep that oath. Quotes by Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy and Ronald W. Reagan”
The author is a retired U.S. Air Force officer and a writer.