Memorial Day Reflection...

Past Memorial Day Message to My Past Organizations & Teams...

Below is a message to past organizations & teams that I lead and I want to share the timeless message to my LinkedIn colleagues, friends & family:

Ladies and Gent’s,

During holidays such as Memorial Day, I have a long-standing tradition of writing” Messages" that reflect my personal feelings of that holiday/event which I share with a broader audience. It is my way of connecting us as a community. In that same spirit, I would like to kick it off this Memorial Day. However, before my personal message, I would like to remind everyone what Memorial Day truly is. Memorial Day, originally called Declaration Day, as a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service. It was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11, and was observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873. By 1890, it was acknowledged by all of the northern states. The South refused to acknowledge the day, honoring their dead on separate days until after World War I (when the holiday changed from honoring just those who died fighting in the Civil War to honoring Americans who died fighting in any war). It is now celebrated in almost every State on the last Monday in May (passed by Congress with the National Holiday Act of 1971.

To help re-educate and remind Americans of the true meaning of Memorial Day, the "National Moment of Remembrance" resolution was passed on Dec 2000 which asks that at 3 PM. local time, for all Americans "To voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a Moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to 'Taps."

As a Marine, this holiday is dear to my heart. I have many "brothers and sisters" who currently are in harms way…in the mountains of Afghanistan, the deserts of Iraq and all around the world. They too will join our great nation in remembering the many patriots who have answered the Nation's call with their very lives.

Memorial Day also marks the start of summer, and all of us have plans for the long weekend. From the summers first BBQ, family beach outings to attending official celebrations such as Fleet Week at NYC. However you celebrate the weekend I ask two simple things from you…in your way, please remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. For example, my daughters and I we will once again do “The Murph” (https://themurphchallenge.com/) while my brother and his wife continue doing the “Push Up Challenge” (where we do 22 push-ups every day to raise awareness and funds to the victims of PTSD: https://mercuryone.org/22kill/).

” Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends”.

Second, be safe especially if you plan on traveling. Memorial Day is one of the most traveled holidays in the year, and you must be vigilant while traveling.

In closing, I will leave you with these examples of valor and various quotes:

Medal of Honor recipients -- Iraq and Afghanistan

* Cpl. Jason L. Dunham, U.S. Marines, 22, Scio, N.Y. On April 14, 2004, Cpl. Dunham shielded fellow Marines from death near Husaybah, Iraq, by falling upon an insurgent hand grenade. He died eight days later in Bethesda, Md. He was the first Marine recipient since Vietnam.

* Pfc. Ross A. McGinniss, U.S. Army, 19, Knox, Pa. On Dec. 4, 2006, McGinniss smothered an Iraqi insurgent's grenade inside an Army Humvee in Baghdad. His four comrades escaped; he died. His Silver Star was upgraded after a Pentagon review.

* Master-at-arms, 2nd Class Michael A. Monsoor, U.S. Navy, 25, Garden Grove, Calif. On Sept. 29, 2006, Navy SEAL Monsoor covered an enemy hand grenade that had struck him in the chest at Ar Ramadi, Iraq, giving his life while saving the lives of two SEAL teammates.

* Sgt. 1st Class Paul R. Smith. U.S. Army, 33, Tampa, Fla. On April 4, 2003, near Baghdad International Airport, Smith, a 13-year Army veteran, manned a .50-caliber machine gun and held off an enemy force of more than 100 while numerous American wounded were evacuated from the battlefield. He was killed by enemy fire. On April 4, 2005, he became the first Iraq War Medal of Honor recipient.

* Lt. Michael P. Murphy, U.S. Navy, 29, Patchogue, N.Y. On June 28, 2005, east of Asadabad in Afghanistan's Kunar Province, Navy SEAL Murphy and his four-man team were surrounded by more than 50 insurgents. He fought to the death while trying to communicate the unit's position to headquarters so they can be rescued.

"All gave some, and some gave all

And some stood through for the red, white and blue

And some had to fall

And if you ever think of me

Think of all your liberties and recall

Some gave all

Now Sandy Kane is no longer here

But his words are oh so clear

As they echo throughout our land

For all his friends who gave us all

Who stood the ground and took the fall

To help their fellow man

Love your country and live with pride

And don't forget those who died America can't you see

And if you ever think of me

Think of all your liberties and recall, yes recall

Some gave all"

- Billy Ray Cyrus, Some Gave All Lyrics

"Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty."

- John F. Kennedy

Finally, enjoy your time off….you deserve it! We have come so far in such a short amount of time..."recharge" your batteries & enjoy life!

Semper Fi,

Quentin