To the Soldiers and Airmen of the National Guard
On
this Memorial Day, let us remember the men and women who gave their
lives for our Nation. Even though these heroes no longer walk among us,
if you look closely, there are still signs of them everywhere.
We
see the empty chair and the folded flag on the mantel. We run our
fingers over their names engraved on the bracelets we wear. We see the
tears of their loved ones and hear the prayers of their children. We
sit beside their headstones and share treasured moments from our lives.
We touch their favorite shirt, still hanging in the closet, the one we
can’t get rid of, because it reminds us of them.
On
this solemn and sacred day of remembrance, we stand beside our Gold
Star families, joining them in mourning. We think of our fallen
colleagues, wishing we could share one more story, one more adventure,
one more day. We silently thank the generations before us who laid down
their lives for our freedom, whose sacrifices shaped the history of the
world. We remember. We grieve. And we make a promise to never
forget.
Everyone
who wears the uniform of our Nation knows we may die in the line of
duty, leaving our loved ones behind. Yet we carry on this noblest
responsibility for a cause and a concept greater than ourselves—the
United States, its ideals, and its future. We believe there is no
greater honor.
On
Memorial Day, let us remember the fallen and comfort the grieving. May
we always remember their courage and service, and lead lives worthy of
their sacrifice.
Sincerely,
Daniel R. Hokanson
General, U.S. Army
Chief, National Guard Bureau
Tony L. Whitehead
Senior Enlisted Advisor
National Guard Bureau