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Every year our nation sets aside a day to honor our military who have died in service to our country. For many of us, this day is a tough one as we experience the full range of emotions. Our hearts are filled with great pride and great loss.
No matter how much time has passed, remembering can feel like waves in the ocean. Sometimes the waves of emotion are light and wash up against our ankles, however, there are times when those emotional waves crash into us hard and take our breath away.
Memorial Day impacts us all a little bit differently. I find myself on a roller coaster going from smiling to crying, thinking of the past and also what life might have been.
On Memorial Day, my wife and I join tens of thousands of military families across the United States to honor all our nation’s Fallen Heroes. We honor and remember our two sons who died fighting different battles.
Together with all of our fellow Americans, we honor over 677,000 members of the U.S. military who gave the ultimate sacrifice while bravely serving around the globe since the Civil War.
This Memorial Day, in particular, we are reminded of the fragility and sacredness of human life. In recent months, over 90,000 Americans have died from COVID-19 including over one thousand veterans.
Recent events also remind us that many of our military, both former and currently serving, are fighting to survive two different types of battles.
While many Americans continue social distancing or remain in self-isolation due to COVID-19, experts are warning of a surge in mental health issues. Not only is COVID-19 causing isolation, it also is tightening much needed resources for service members and veterans who rely on treatment for service related Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).
Scarred by physical and emotional wounds, our veteran population already has a higher suicide rate than the national population, with a rate 1.5 times higher than civilians.
Many of our military and veterans are suffering from wounds you cannot see that can be more serious and deadly than the wounds you can see.
Unfortunately, our family has experienced the tragedy of suicide first-hand. As an ROTC cadet at the University of Kentucky, our son Kevin was studying to be an Army doctor. He was a scholarship student battling depression and stopped taking his medication because he didn’t want the military to know of his illness. When Kevin died, we blamed ourselves for not recognizing the serious warning signs that Kevin’s depression was a true medical illness and not just a sad feeling. We now know that eliminating the stigma and accessing quality treatment is a matter of life and death.
It was around the time of Kevin’s death that the military began experiencing crisis numbers of suicides on military installations where we served. My wife and I dedicated ourselves to opening up the conversation in both the military and civilian world about suicide.
As a retired Major General in the U.S. Army, my mission today is to ensure that any veteran, service member, family member, or caregiver gets the help they need, whenever they have an issue, wherever they are in the world -- before challenges turn into crises. They are not alone.
In many ways, our humble support of service members and veterans who suffer the invisible wounds of war is a way we can honor their comrades who fought and died.
This Memorial Day we respectfully remember with gratitude the hundreds of thousands of men and women who have served our country on the battlefield in countless wars and conflicts.
We remember over 7,000 post-9/11 troops, like our other son Jeff, who was killed by an IED leading a foot patrol in Iraq.
We remember the many generations before Jeff and Kevin who fought and died in the name of freedom.
Retired Army Maj. Gen. Mark Graham is director of Vets4Warriors. Veterans experiencing a mental health emergency can contact the Veteran Crisis Line at [login to see] and select option 1 for a VA staffer. If you want to speak with a peer, call Vets4Warriors at [login to see] , visit http://www.Vets4Warriors.com or follow us on social @Vets4Warriors to learn more.
No matter how much time has passed, remembering can feel like waves in the ocean. Sometimes the waves of emotion are light and wash up against our ankles, however, there are times when those emotional waves crash into us hard and take our breath away.
Memorial Day impacts us all a little bit differently. I find myself on a roller coaster going from smiling to crying, thinking of the past and also what life might have been.
On Memorial Day, my wife and I join tens of thousands of military families across the United States to honor all our nation’s Fallen Heroes. We honor and remember our two sons who died fighting different battles.
Together with all of our fellow Americans, we honor over 677,000 members of the U.S. military who gave the ultimate sacrifice while bravely serving around the globe since the Civil War.
This Memorial Day, in particular, we are reminded of the fragility and sacredness of human life. In recent months, over 90,000 Americans have died from COVID-19 including over one thousand veterans.
Recent events also remind us that many of our military, both former and currently serving, are fighting to survive two different types of battles.
While many Americans continue social distancing or remain in self-isolation due to COVID-19, experts are warning of a surge in mental health issues. Not only is COVID-19 causing isolation, it also is tightening much needed resources for service members and veterans who rely on treatment for service related Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).
Scarred by physical and emotional wounds, our veteran population already has a higher suicide rate than the national population, with a rate 1.5 times higher than civilians.
Many of our military and veterans are suffering from wounds you cannot see that can be more serious and deadly than the wounds you can see.
Unfortunately, our family has experienced the tragedy of suicide first-hand. As an ROTC cadet at the University of Kentucky, our son Kevin was studying to be an Army doctor. He was a scholarship student battling depression and stopped taking his medication because he didn’t want the military to know of his illness. When Kevin died, we blamed ourselves for not recognizing the serious warning signs that Kevin’s depression was a true medical illness and not just a sad feeling. We now know that eliminating the stigma and accessing quality treatment is a matter of life and death.
It was around the time of Kevin’s death that the military began experiencing crisis numbers of suicides on military installations where we served. My wife and I dedicated ourselves to opening up the conversation in both the military and civilian world about suicide.
As a retired Major General in the U.S. Army, my mission today is to ensure that any veteran, service member, family member, or caregiver gets the help they need, whenever they have an issue, wherever they are in the world -- before challenges turn into crises. They are not alone.
In many ways, our humble support of service members and veterans who suffer the invisible wounds of war is a way we can honor their comrades who fought and died.
This Memorial Day we respectfully remember with gratitude the hundreds of thousands of men and women who have served our country on the battlefield in countless wars and conflicts.
We remember over 7,000 post-9/11 troops, like our other son Jeff, who was killed by an IED leading a foot patrol in Iraq.
We remember the many generations before Jeff and Kevin who fought and died in the name of freedom.
Retired Army Maj. Gen. Mark Graham is director of Vets4Warriors. Veterans experiencing a mental health emergency can contact the Veteran Crisis Line at [login to see] and select option 1 for a VA staffer. If you want to speak with a peer, call Vets4Warriors at [login to see] , visit http://www.Vets4Warriors.com or follow us on social @Vets4Warriors to learn more.
Posted in these groups: 
Memorial Day
Memorial
Vets4Warriors
Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF)
Coronavirus COVID19
Memorial Day Memorial Vets4Warriors Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) Coronavirus COVID19
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 59
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A Soldier's Thoughts
It Was Easier To Leave The Liberty That I Loved,
Than To Return To The Liberty I Lost.
As Long As One Person Acknowledges
My Life Sacrifices And Gains By It,
Then Shall The Sting Of Death Soften Its Grip
And Immortality And Honor
Be Given Its Rightful Name........
HERO....Then Shall I Rest.
Written By Larry Richardson And Presented To John P. Anderson 2005
It Was Easier To Leave The Liberty That I Loved,
Than To Return To The Liberty I Lost.
As Long As One Person Acknowledges
My Life Sacrifices And Gains By It,
Then Shall The Sting Of Death Soften Its Grip
And Immortality And Honor
Be Given Its Rightful Name........
HERO....Then Shall I Rest.
Written By Larry Richardson And Presented To John P. Anderson 2005
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Thank you Sir for your continued service to our Troopers in their time of need.
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Suspended Profile
Thank you for the perfectly worded post sir; you have my deepest condolences for your sacrifice.
As a military retiree for the last 30 years, I sometimes tend to focus on how successful I have been and how good life has been for us (no tragedies or life changing events, etc). I find it is very important to reflect on those who may be “suffering in silence”, and unable to cope with life as well as the rest of us.
As a military retiree for the last 30 years, I sometimes tend to focus on how successful I have been and how good life has been for us (no tragedies or life changing events, etc). I find it is very important to reflect on those who may be “suffering in silence”, and unable to cope with life as well as the rest of us.
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MG Mark Graham You are not alone General. Many of us are having a ‘bad’ weekend.
The last time I went to my brother’s grave site in the West Los Angeles National Cemetery on Memorial Day became a never again moment!
The last time I went to my brother’s grave site in the West Los Angeles National Cemetery on Memorial Day became a never again moment!
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Thank you for these great words sir. So many times all you hear about Memorial Day is the mattress and cars sales. As a 24 year veteran the meaning of Memorial Day hit hard when at 05:00hrs on the 16th of September 2019 we was notified that our son was killed in action in Afghanistan.
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yes due to COVID-19 the Bourne cemetery Memorial Day service is canceled I have been doing it for the past 20+ years it is one of the things I love doing to pay respect to my fellow BROTHERS & SISTERS that have crossed the great Divide 3 of the biggest VETERAN events I enjoy APRIL the Salem muster in Salem MA. MAY MEMORIAL DAY & NOVEMBER VETERANS DAY both at BOURNE NATIONAL CEMETERY in BOURNE MA. hope everyone has A great safe weekend & remember it is not just A 3 day holiday weekend it is to pay respect to our fallen hero's MILITARY POLICE FIRE FIRST RESPODERS MAY THEY ALL REST IN PEACE MESSAGE FROM SGT OF ARMS 26th (YANKEE) INFANTRY DIVISION BOSTON MA. CHAPTER GLENN E MOODY
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PO1 (Join to see)
That was interesting, I found more on that campaign at https://privatesonparade.tumblr.com/ an article named "liberation road
in the steps of the yankee division from germany to czechoslovakia "
in the steps of the yankee division from germany to czechoslovakia "
in the steps of the yankee division from germany to czechoslovakia
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SGT Glenn E Moody
PO1 (Join to see) - THANK YOU I was on this trip I am in some of the photos taken I myself took many photos with our 4 WW 11 veterans in them & handed over my camera to be in some of the photos taken with my camera here is some more taken on the 2013 liberation tour Germany to Czechostovakia 1945
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When I first became a member of the Armed Forces--as a New Mexico Air National Guardsman--the percentage of American men who were veterans was much higher than the tiny percentage it is today. I went on to serve on active duty as an Air Force officer and continued as a Reserve officer to amass a total of 31 years service. During that time the veteran percentage has declined dramatically, partly due to the dwindling numbers of World War II and Korea veterans, but simply because fewer men and women have served. In this changed climate, remembering our veterans, especially those who have been damaged by their service, is an obligation for all Americans. It is an obligation too often ignored or forgotten. Memorial Day is a special day to remember those with the greatest needs, but every day should be a memorial day. Thank you for the reminders and my condolences for the sons you have lost. May they rest in peace and honor.
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