"This Memorial Day, please thank a veteran. If you know a member of the Greatest Generation who could use a visit, or maybe some help, please reach out to them. If you know a local family missing a loved one who is currently stationed overseas, please stop by to see how they are doing. This is the greatest nation the world has ever known. And that is true because for over 200 years patriots have answered their nation’s call and given their all in defense of liberty, freedom and the United States of America."
Bob McDonnell
Governor of Virginia
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"On this Memorial Day, we must reflect on all those American soldiers and sailors, Marines, Airmen and others who stood up for our country, and gave their lives. Without a doubt they sacrificed for their families and for the future they hoped their children would have. They gave up everything for that hope, and to be sure that no foreign power would take away our liberty and well-being. Now it is our duty, as Americans, to maintain that liberty. This means that we have to be constantly and vigilantly involved in defining and understanding what American freedom really is. Ideas matter and this is our duty to live up to those who gave up everything for us and for our country."
James S. Gilmore________________________________________
"Who better than the families of fallen soldiers can know the sadness and heartache caused by the wartime deaths of the many servicemen and servicewomen who, indeed, gave their lives for America (and Iraq and Afghanistan, etc.) ? And yet there is an abiding pride that flows from the nobility of serving the cause of freedom led by the most blessed (as in God-blessed) nation on earth. Today we ask you to reflect in gratitude on the price of liberty that we — and millions upon millions of citizens of foreign, allied nations — enjoy, thanks to our brave military men and women."
Peter LaBarbera
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"Today, on this Memorial Day, let us remember that America's freedom is secured by Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Guardsmen and Marines who risk their lives in the service of our country.
Throughout our history, many of these heroes have made the ultimate sacrifice. This is a time to honor their memory."
LtCol Oliver L. North, USMC (Ret.)
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"...on this Memorial Day, let us honor those no longer with us. But let's also take a moment and thank those who do return, and offer them our gratitude and the opportunity to have full and productive lives.
Sloan Gibson
President and CEO, USO________________________________________
"If we really care about peace, we must, through our strength, demonstrate our unwillingness to accept an ending of the peace. We must be strong enough to create peace where it does not exist and strong enough to protect it where it does. That's the lesson of this century and, I think, of this day. "
President Ronald Reagan's 1986 Memorial Day remarks at Arlington National Cemetery Posted by The Heritage Foundation
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Dear Fellow Virginians,
Today, as we remember those who have fallen while serving our great nation, I wanted to drop you a quick note of commemoration. In Richmond last Thursday, I had the honor of hosting Virginia's 2010 Wall of Honor Ceremony where we formally recognized the 206 Virginians who have died in the Global War on Terrorism. Tragically 24 Virginians have fallen in the past year.
Virginia's heroes have served our nation with dignity and honor in every war since our founding. These guardians of freedom deserve our highest level of gratitude and respect.
We honor their passing with one simple promise: we will never forget their sacrifice, and we will forever honor their service.
This year's heroes who joined the Wall of Honor are:
Corporal Orville Gerena, Marines; Virginia Beach
Spec. Shawn Sykes, Army; Portsmouth
Cpl. Ryan McGhee, Army; Fredericksburg
Lieutenant Colonel Mark Stratton, II, Air Force; Stafford
Master Sergeant Jerome Hatfield, Marines; Axton
Specialist Herberth Berrios-Campos, Army; Bealeton
Private 1st Class Richard Jones, Army; Halifax
Sergeant First Class William Woods, Jr, Army; Chesapeake
Private 1st Class Morris Walker, Army Prince William; County
Specialist Paul Dumont, Jr., Army; Williamsburg
1st Lt. Michael Johnson, Marines; Virginia Beach
Private 1st Class William Meredith, Army; Lunenburg County
Specialist Stephen Mace, Army; Lovettsville
Special Agent Michael Weston, Marines; Richmond
Special Agent Chad Michael; Quantico
Special Agent Forrest Leamon, Navy; Woodbridge
Sergeant Brandon T. Islip, Army; Chesterfield
Agent Harold Brown, Jr., Army; Fairfax Station
Lance Corporal Timothy Poole, Marines; Richmond
Staff Sergeant Mark A. Stets, Army; Virginia Beach
Lance Corporal Kielin T. Dunn, Marines; Chesapeake
Specialist Stephen Bishop, Army; Christiansburg
Chief Petty Officer Adam L. Brown, Navy; Virginia Beach
Staff Sergeant Christopher Worrell, Army; Virginia Beach
May they rest in peace.
Ken Cuccinelli, II
Attorney General of Virginia
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