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What is Memorial Day?
Memorial Day is a solemn occasion and a time to reflect on our soldiers and veterans and the nature of military service. No one enters the military and comes away unchanged. It can be an incredible proving ground, a place where people test their mettle and see what they can really take in the face of extraordinary challenges.
Sadly, military service also comes with significant risk for some of our soldiers, and not all of them are able to go home and rejoin us here in the United States.
Memorial Day is to honor our fallen soldiers who died in service to our nation.
How to honor Memorial Day
One of the things veterans consistently talk about around this time of year is that they would rather people in the United States really engaged with what it means to serve rather than showing shallow signs of affection and not thinking about our soldiers the other 364 days of the year.
So, rather than hosting a sale or otherwise cheapening the day, I ask you to join me in quiet reflection on the sacrifices our soldiers make and the incredible dedication and bravery it takes to enlist despite the risks.
National Moment of Remembrance
Don't forget to set a reminder to go off at 3 p.m. local time so you can take part in the National Moment of Remembrance. Use this moment of silence to reflect on the meaning of Memorial Day.
Memorial Day 2023
Our brave men and women work incredibly hard, whether here at home or overseas. In many ways, our military traditions have been defining forces in the United States, our culture, and our global role.
However you honor Memorial Day, I invite you to take a moment for our soldiers and for the soldiers worldwide working so hard in the hope of brighter, better tomorrows.
What else is the human project but working for a better future?
