Memorial Day Thoughts

As memorial day approaches, what better time to launch our new Caucus website and remember the meaning of this sacred day. We are the Veterans and Military Family Democrats of Burke County. Working for the election of Veteran Democratic candidates, and advocating for issues that impact Veterans and military families here in Burke County.

But for memorial day, I am the niece of a fallen soldier.

This is:

WILLIAM D SOULE

SSGT - E6 - Army - Regular

196th Light Infantry Brigade

Length of service 8 years

His tour began on Apr 20, 1967

Casualty was on Aug 21, 1967

In QUANG TIN, SOUTH VIETNAM

HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY

OTHER EXPLOSIVE DEVICE

Body was recovered. Left behind a wife and two babies.

That's my Uncle Billy.

And I am honored to be his niece and have so many other Veterans in my family. Inspired by the words of our Commander in Chief, President Biden, I want to end with his words and remind everyone that while for many of us Memorial Day is a day off work or school, this is a day of remembrance. As we fire up the grill or head to the lake for a picnic with friends, let's take a minute to remember the reason for this day, and in some way honor our fallen heroes.

"Today, we once again gather in this sacred place, at this solemn hour, to honor fallen heroes, to once again stand amid the rows and rows of marble stones and bear witness to the brave women and men who served and sacrificed for our freedom and for our future; those who died so our nation might live.

 Every year, as a nation, we undertake this rite of remembrance, for we must never forget the price that was paid to protect our democracy.  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.  An American." President Biden Memorial Day 2023

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2023/05/29/remarks-by-president-biden-at-the-155th-national-memorial-day-observance/

PBS is presenting a Memorial Day concert on Sunday, May 28 at 8:00 PM ET. Find out more about that concert here: https://www.pbs.org/national-memorial-day-concert/