May We Never Forget
Honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
On November 11, 1921, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was dedicated at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, just across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C.
The memorial was established to honor unidentified American soldiers who died in World War I, and it has since become a symbol of respect for all unidentified military personnel who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
The first wreath-laying ceremony on Memorial Day took place in 1922. It’s a tradition that has been honored every year since.
Today marks the 103rd consecutive year of the annual ceremony.
In the fall of 2023, my son, Morgan, and I volunteered on the Honor Flight San Diego, which transported more than 80 veterans to Arlington and the National Mall to celebrate their service. The five men pictured with us above served in World War II. Veterans of the Korean and Vietnam Wars were also on the trip.
Morgan and I did several video documentaries on the 2023 Honor Flight.
This one focuses on laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
THOSE WHO SERVED, AND THOSE WHO MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE, ARE ALL HEROES.
Not a single one of them is a “sucker” or a “loser.”
“When President Donald Trump canceled a visit to the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery, near Paris, in 2018, he blamed rain for the last-minute decision, saying that “the helicopter couldn’t fly” and that the Secret Service wouldn’t drive him there. Neither claim was true.
Trump rejected the idea of the visit because he feared his hair would become disheveled in the rain, and because he did not believe it important to honor American war dead, according to four people with firsthand knowledge of the discussion that day. In a conversation with senior staff members on the morning of the scheduled visit, Trump said, “Why should I go to that cemetery? It’s filled with losers.” In a separate conversation on the same trip, Trump referred to the more than 1,800 marines who lost their lives at Belleau Wood as “suckers” for getting killed.” ~ The Atlantic
Upcoming D-Day Anniversary Events
On Friday, June 6, the 81st anniversary of D-Day, a group of military veterans and concerned citizens will rally in Coronado at 2 pm to advocate for the protection of veterans' benefits and the preservation of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The “Coronado Rally for Veterans” is being held in conjunction with the June 6 “Unite for Veterans” rally on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., to defend the benefits, jobs, and dignity that every generation of veterans have earned through their sacrifice.
Please join us. Stand by our veterans and let your voice be heard!
Resources:
A Small Town Rallies for Veterans ~ Perspectives
Trump: Americans Who Died in War Are ‘Losers’ and ‘Suckers’ ~ The Atlantic
D-Day 2025: March on the Nation’s Capital ~ Perspectives
Stand Up and Speak Everything ~ Perspectives
And Then They Came for Me ~ Perspectives
Rally with American Veterans ~ Veterans for Unity
Veterans Organizing 'Call to Action' Rally on D-Day Anniversary in Nation's Capitol ~ Military.com
He nearly made it through an entire Memorial Day speech without expressing his own grievances or making the whole thing about himself. Who am I kidding? He didn't even get close! Good work, Brad. I'll see you at the rally on the 6th!
Please attend the rally in Coronado and show the current administration that we value our veterans and oppose the cuts to the VA.