My Memorial Day Speech

This year on Memorial Day I had the honor of being the keynote speaker at the ceremony held annually at our cemetery in Shamrock, TX. I wanted to take a moment to share my speech here on LinkedIn because while it was short, sweet, and to the point, it was also very heartfelt.

THE SPEECH

Becoming an official federal holiday in 1971, Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day and was founded after the Civil War, which claimed more lives than any conflict in American history. It was to pay homage to the fallen soldiers of the war. Fast forward to today…Decoration Day has become Memorial Day and has expanded to encompass all conflicts in which American Military members took part.

All this being said, on today’s Memorial Day, I would like, by extension, to include the whole military family’s members. There are a group of people who choose to hitch their stars to the men and women who fight and sometimes die in the service of our country. By being their backups, it allows our service members to do their duties while being able to have the love and belonging of their own families and future.

Looking back in my own life, I can recall many instances when sacrifices were made by my friends and myself. An example which comes to mind is on 9/11. When the planes flew into the twin towers that day no one knew what it meant for the nation. Were we going to be invaded? Were we going to suffer additional attacks? If so, where would they come from? Should we evacuate and if so, to where? The Navy men were instructed to report to their ships. They were tasked with the removal of ships to the open ocean so that they would be better defended if attacked like Pearl Harbor. NO ON KNEW! Fear and concern gripped us all. The spouses were left to gather the children from school and take them home. When arriving at their schools, several things were obvious. First, everyone wore grim stone faces. Fear was the watchword of the day. Second, the Marines stationed in Norfolk surrounded the school and stood watch until every student was accounted for. And third chaos lay just beneath the surface of this sea of humanity. Upmost on everyone’s mind was “Will my family be okay? Will I see my mate ever again?”

Later we learned that one of Shawn’s shipmates, Tara Gray, who had left the Naval Service a short time before 9/11 had perished in the North Tower and her body was never found. She had gone there to begin a new job. Also, in an incident apart from 9/11, another shipmate of Shawn’s, Lakeina Francis, who had a newborn, was killed in the attack on the USS Cole in Yemen.

The people who serve their country, of course, deserve the gratitude and recognition of the nation. However, upon reflection, I think we can all admit that, by extension we should celebrate Memorial Day in a three-prong area: those fallen, those in active duty, and the military personnel’s families.

Of course, those people who give their lives should be revered. Those in active duty should be honored and supported. They are the ones who miss out on so many things that others take for granted: family gatherings, births of their children, the kids firsts like words, steps, first days of school, etc. Those who make up the service members' families should also be appreciated and recognized. Those mates who make day to day decisions, worry, wonder, and cope until they see their service member reappear safe and sound. Then when their loved one must leave again, admit to themselves that they must be crazy, but they would do it all over again.

God Bless America and ALL who serve her!!!