Air Force leaders issue Memorial Day message

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Air Force leaders issue Memorial Day message

Posted 5/25/2012

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5/25/2012 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz send the following Memorial Day message to the Airmen of the U.S. Air Force and their families:

On May 30, 1868, the first official Memorial Day observance was held at Arlington National Cemetery to honor over 20,000 soldiers of the Civil War. Today, Memorial Day serves as an opportunity to pause and remember the sacrifices of more than one million Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen who have given their lives to secure our freedoms.

As we remember our fallen, captured, or missing service men and women, we also express our deep gratitude to those who are currently defending our Nation. Today, more than 33,000 Airmen are deployed around the world, while over 134,000 provide global support from their home station. Among our all-volunteer force, 68 percent of Airmen joined the Air Force after 9/11, and have never known a peacetime military. The men and women who answered the call by saying, "Send me," truly exemplify Service before Self.

In addition to recognizing the service of our fellow Airmen, we also pay tribute to the families of those who have fallen or who have been wounded while serving our country. For these families--the husbands and wives, sons and daughters, mothers and fathers--every day is Memorial Day. We will not forget those whom our fallen, captured, or missing service men and women left behind, and to whom our debt of gratitude can never be repaid.

On this day of remembrance, as we honor those who have given "their last full measure of devotion" in service to our Nation, let us renew our commitment to military family survivors, as well as to our wounded warriors and their families. To all Airmen, whether serving at home or abroad, please know your sacrifices do not go unnoticed. We are grateful for your service and are privileged to stand with you, by you, and for you.

Comments

6/1/2012 2:04:00 PM ET
Memorial Day is a time to reflect and remember regardless of who you are other than being an American of which we are or should be all proud of. I think of the few I knew from my time as a teenager who perished in Vietnam and the many from other wars who gave their Ultimate scrafice so I and my Family could possibly live in Peace. It is not a day to cast stone at others for their comments of respect. I personally feel Blessed that I was enabled to serve my Country and retire while many others did not make it. My heart goes out as well as my prayers for all those who gave all and those who will end up in harms way regardless of who they are. We are all Americans be Proud Be Strong and be supporting of all those past and Present who have given or continue to give so our Country can be Free and the Great America it always will be.

SNCO Ret 89, Ohio

5/30/2012 11:12:46 AM ET
Next time we have a holiday in which SECAF and CSAF publicize a message, maybe the word issues should be avoided...makes it sound as if the message is automated or canned and ultimately leads people to question whether or not they truly care. Just a thought.

SJ, Florida

5/29/2012 11:23:49 PM ET
Don Meabon- That seems like a really generalizing statement that you have no respect for these leaders. Maybe instead of praying, they did something useful like donating to a scholarship fund for children of the fallen.

KongDispenser, A kennel

5/29/2012 10:44:17 PM ET
Memorial Day is a DAY set aside for us to collectively remember and reflect upon the sacrifices others have made whilst paying the Price of Freedom. It's a time to reflect on those sons and daughters who might have been the contributions, both big and small, that will never be. The true Price of Freedom lies in those generations which we will never know....

Steve F, Tokyo Japan

5/29/2012 8:37:03 AM ET
Don Meabon- They don't need to mention prayer. For some of us it is refreshing to get thanked for our service without being reminded that we aren't like the rest of us and are looked down upon for it.

Analyst, Barksdale

5/29/2012 7:51:05 AM ET
Seventy percent of Americans are unsure about the true meaning of Memorial Day a remembrance for those who have given all. We should not confuse the issue by mentioning our deployed Airmen. That's what Veterans' Day in Novemeber is all about.

Dale Komanec, Fort Wayne IN

5/28/2012 6:48:06 AM ET
thank you for your kind words...presently I have my young Daughter serving in Afghanistan...she is brave and I'm proud of her for the duty she does for her country...again thank you ...Karin K DeWItt El Paso TX

Karin DeWItt, El Paso TX

5/26/2012 3:28:32 PM ET
Didnt see where the PRAYERwas ever mentioned. Lets pray for the safety of our military around the world.No respect for those two leaders.....

Don Meabon, TucsonAz

5/25/2012 9:57:11 PM ET
It is so demoralizing to realize many Congressmen support Memorial Day and praise the troops living and dead and when they talk about reducing promised benefits to those who gave 20 or more years of their life to Uncle Sam. it makes me sick.

Robert V. Smoak Sr, Largo Fl

5/25/2012 1:48:05 PM ET
thank you....377th Combat Engineers Viet Nam 1968

gene kuykendall, ennis texas

5/24/2012 6:54:46 PM ET
Thank you so much for the kind words. I will never forget

Jim Hill, Columbia TN

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