Memorial Day is an extremely important date for the country, as it remembers and honors all the brave men and women who lost their lives in service to the country. This Monday, many Americans paid tribute by attending military parades, visiting war memorials and decorating the graves of dead soldiers with flowers and flags.
One of the most significant places to be on this day is Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, where the bodies of U.S. military personnel who participated in the most critical conflicts since the Revolutionary War rest.
Today, we remember and honor those men and women who sacrificed their lives for our freedom.
It’s our honor to care for their final resting place.#MemorialDay 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/hp4sHd3Gvr
— Arlington National Cemetery (@ArlingtonNatl) May 29, 2023
This year’s poppy exhibition also captured special attention because about 645,000 of this type of flower, which serves as a symbol of remembrance, were used as part of the tribute on the National Mall in Washington, D. C. In addition, the 50th anniversary of the U.S. withdrawal from the Vietnam War was commemorated.
The USAA Poppy Wall of Honor contains over 645,000 flowers symbolizing the profound sacrifice of each American life lost in combat since WWI. The tribute stands on the National Mall in DC, where tens of thousands are paying their respects this #MemorialDay weekend. #PoppyInMemory pic.twitter.com/kNpxDyLBED
— USAA (@USAA) May 27, 2023
The president’s speech
Another important moment of this date is the president’s speech. Joe Biden paid tribute to the fallen and recalled the importance of honoring them. “We must never forget the lives; these flags, flowers, and marble markers represent a mother, a father, a son, a daughter, a sister, a spouse, a friend, and America. Every year we remember, and every year it never gets easier,” he said.
During the speech, Biden also remembered his son Beau, a veteran who passed away from cancer in 2015. “Tomorrow marks eight years since we lost our son Beau. Our losses are not the same. He didn’t perish on the battlefield, but [...]the pain of loss is [...] particularly sharp on Memorial Day,” he said.
Join me as I honor our fallen heroes at the 155th National Memorial Day Observance. https://t.co/rKush3ip8d
— President Biden (@POTUS) May 29, 2023
Other important statements
On this date, many personalities dedicate a moment to reflect on the contributions of those who died during military service.
Famed country singer Lee Greenwood was among those who shared a message on Memorial Day. “We can never forget the price our men and women in uniform have paid for freedom around the world. Think not only upon their passing, remember the glory of their spirit and never take freedom for granted,” he said.
Today my family and I had the privilege of planting the two final flags that are on the graves of the 10,000 American soldiers buried at Normandy overlooking Omaha Beach. We also visited Point du Hoc and the 4 miles of D-Day beaches where the soldiers came ashore. I then sang God… pic.twitter.com/EV0Nsfu7Ec
— Lee Greenwood (@TheLeeGreenwood) May 28, 2023
Ron DeSantis, governor of Florida, also took the opportunity to reminisce about his time serving in the military and noted several changes that have taken place in the military since then.
“I see a lot of emphasis now on political ideologies, things like gender pronouns. I see a lot about things like [diversity, equity and inclusion]. And I think that that’s caused recruiting to plummet,” he said.
Former President Donald Trump also shared a video through his social network remembering to honor “those who gave all.”
