Remember

Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff – The Hill

Every day, I take a moment to reflect on the countless brave men and women who have donned the cloth of our nation in its defense. I remember those fallen warriors who made the ultimate sacrifice – many of them eternally attired in the very uniform in which they honorably served.

I am often asked by my fellow Americans if there is more they can do to show their appreciation for our service members, past and present. They tell me that “thank you” doesn’t feel like quite enough. They wonder how to best pay tribute to those men and women who gave up their future so we could have ours.

My response to them is this: Remember.

Army veteran Bernie Klemanek, of Mineral, Va., stops to salute his fallen comrades at the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, May 25, 2015. (AP Photo/J. David Ake)

Remember the Fallen, on this Day Especially

The Editorial Board – The Sacramento Bee

As we observe the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, and the 40th anniversary of the end of America’s involvement in the Vietnam War, we should take time during our backyard barbecues to remember, precisely, why we have this day off.

Americans enjoy their day because of the sacrifice of the men and women interred in Arlington Cemetery, and many other U.S. military cemeteries here and in battlefields in far-off lands …

US soldiers stand attention during a ceremony marking Memorial Day in Kabul, Afghanistan on May 25, 2015. (AP Photo/Allauddin Khan)

America faces massive risks abroad today, and U.S. soldiers, sailors, and pilots stare into the abyss every single day, our defense against future tyranny. Vladimir Putin threatens Europe’s stability at this moment.

The Islamic State and al-Qaida are working overtime to destabilize the Middle East and launch terror attacks around the world. North Korea’s capricious leader challenges South Korea and us.

Who stands guard?

Trying to House L.A.’s Homeless Veterans Is a Complex, Lengthy Process

The Editorial Board –  Los Angeles Times

As we honor the dead on this Memorial Day, it’s worth remembering as well the living veterans of military service who have no homes except sidewalk encampments or the occasional shelter bed, whose lives are so wracked by mental illness, addictions or physical disabilities that they are essentially dying in the streets.

… Housing homeless veterans — or anyone who is homeless — is not as simple as handing over a set of keys. (Although some advocates say it should be.) It’s a lengthy process. And it should be shorter.

It can take 100 days, sometimes longer, for a veteran to go from first contact with a provider to walking across the threshold of an apartment.

(AP Photo/Steven Senne)

 

On Memorial Day and Everyday: Never Forget

The Editors – Houston Chronicle

On this holiday, there will be recreation and relaxation .. Foremost, though, there should be reflection about those who have given their lives in the armed forces. These brave men and women deserve the respect of our remembrance.

As did Army Cpl. Tomas Sotelo Jr. when he entered Baghdad, these soldiers were responding to the call of our nation, the world’s oldest democracy. Sotelo who died on June 27, 2003, was the first casualty who hailed from Houston in one of our more recent conflicts, the military action known as Operation Iraqi Freedom.

His name faded quickly from the headlines; there were so many others who followed. But the memories his loved ones hold are strong and vivid …

To the Sotelo family, and all those who gave their lives, we say: We will never forget.

Tom Nicholson of Gretna, Neb. visits graves at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., Monday,May 25, 2015. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

 

President Barack Obama’s remarks at Arlington National Cemetery