KANSAS CITY, Mo. – In recognition of Memorial Day, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) honors the legacy of the men and women who served in our nation’s military and made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of freedom.
While many Americans signal Memorial Day as the start of the summer, the less than one percent who have donned the uniform and military families worldwide understand the true meaning and significance of this sacred day.
“Comrades, many of you have walked the hallowed grounds of our national veterans’ cemeteries solemnly laying eyes on the headstones of our soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen who honorably served and placed the freedom of their nation before their very own safety,” said VFW National Commander William “Doc” Schmitz. “We have lost hundreds of thousands of men and women since the founding of our nation in 1775, and unfortunately, as the global fight on terror continues today, we will lose more protectors of freedom.”
This Memorial Day will be different considering the physical distancing and stay-at-home orders issued across the nation because of the unprecedented coronavirus. While many Americans will be unable to physically visit loved ones or traditionally gather to memorialize their sacrifice and commitment this year, the VFW encourages the nation to make this Memorial Day as significant as any other in our nation’s history.
“On this Memorial Day, like all others before, I’m asking all Americans to spend this day solely on reflecting and remembering the service men and women we have lost over the course of history,” said Schmitz. “On Memorial Day, and every day, we honor and salute every man and woman – and the remarkable families of these heroes – who gave their lives for our nation. Hence, Memorial Day will forever be a day that means everything to the VFW because our warriors decided we meant everything to them.”