'Every day is Memorial Day'

More than 1,000 people participated in the 149th National Memorial Day Observance at Arlington National Cemetery to honor and commemorate fallen U.S. servicemembers.

Retired four-star Marine Corps Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., who is the 19th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Secretary of Defense Gen. James Mattis gave opening remarks during the ceremony.

“More than 1 million Americans who have answered the call of duty gave the last full measure of their devotion so their fellow citizens could live in freedom and raise their children in peace,” Dunford said. “Today, we reflect on the enormity of the sacrifice. We reflect on the hopes and dreams never realized. Today, we also reflect on the sacrifice of the families left behind, the anguish of parents, spouses, siblings and friends, the sadness of children growing up without their fathers or mothers. And we know that for the families, every day is Memorial Day.”

What’s most important about the fallen servicemembers, Dunford said, is recognizing and honoring how they lived. These were people who not only fought for something larger than themselves, but also understood that the key values and traditions of this nation was worth fighting for, he said.

“The kid on the line who never had a chance to grow old will always be there, to teach us that suffering has meaning if it is accepted out of love for others,” said Mattis. “To the families of the fallen, both here and at home, no words will ease your pain. But I beg you, let it have meaning — unite your sorrow to their awesome purpose.”

President Donald Trump, who laid the wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, gave his first Memorial Day address to the nation.

“Words cannot measure the depths of their devotion, the purity of their love or the totality of their courage,” Trump said. “We only hope that every day we can prove worthy not only of their sacrifice and service, but of the sacrifice made by the families and loved ones they left behind. Special, special people.”

Army veteran Ron Anderson understands the true meaning of sacrifice. Anderson, a Purple Heart recipient from Texas who received his medal on May 26, was shot and wounded in combat during the Vietnam War.

Anderson said his life was saved by the heroic act of another fellow comrade, an angel on the battlefield whom he thanks God for every day.

“We were on a trail, got in an ambush. Two (were) killed and I was wounded,” Anderson recalled. “The rest is history. A fellow by the name of John Berkhart saved my life because the (bad guy) was getting ready to (shoot) me again. But John was able to shoot him. He couldn’t make it here today, but I owe my life to that man.”

For Anderson, every day is Memorial Day. He said he’s proud and humbled to come from a family of veterans.

“The Andersons have always served in war,” said Anderson. “My great grandfather (fought in The Battle of San Juan Hill). My grandfather fought in World War I. My daddy fought in World War II. My brother fought in Korea and I fought in Vietnam. Thanking God that I’m here and praying for those soldiers out in the field today.”

Army veteran Connie King of Hinckley, Ohio, attended the ceremony with her husband and daughter. Like Anderson, she too comes from a military family.

“We came here to visit the capital and to help educate my daughter on our country and our freedoms,” she said. “All the people that sacrificed (their lives) in order for us to have our freedoms is absolutely amazing. My father served. My uncle served. I have a nephew who’s now in the Navy and he just graduated from the Naval Academy. And my brother served, so we have a lot of military (servicemembers) in our family.”

King is glad that military and veterans service organizations like The American Legion serve those who have served others.

“We had the great privilege to watch Rolling Thunder come in and honor our veterans,” King said. “I’m in awe. I’m glad (the Legion) is there for our vets – the love for our God, our country and our freedoms. We do have the greatest country in the world.”

Cole Lyle, an assistant director for TBI/PTSD for The American Legion Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Division, laid a wreath on the Legion’s behalf at the cemetery.

“I’ve lost more Marines to suicide than I have to combat,” said Lyle. “It is an honor to lay the wreath for The American Legion on behalf of its members, but more so on behalf of those that felt like they had no voice and ultimately lost the war within when they came home.”