Since we are primarily Veterans serving Veterans, we really take the time to acknowledge the sacrifices our fellow servicemembers have made and truly believe in honoring those that have given the ultimate sacrifice. We also feel those souls should have a name and be honored in a way that would bring joy to those that still remember them today. Even though Memorial day origins began as “Decoration Day” following the end of the Civil war in the spring of 1865 it still pays homage to the fact that our country has always set aside a day dedicated for pausing in reflection for our fallen.
All of us here at Warfighter Outfitters have individuals on our minds that we once fought alongside or lost to suicide over the years. These individuals need to be remembered and honored not only for our own selfish reasons but for the sake of their families and loved ones.
Although a good portion of America will see Memorial day as a federal holiday and take advantage of the time off while grilling on the beach or road tripping with the family and never really recognize the true meaning of the day. Some will even say things like “Thank you for your service” or “Happy memorial day” in random passings. For most Veterans, these words and phrases are very misguided ramblings that tend to further aggravate their own path and meaning during memorial day.
Memorial Day is a day when we as the country come together to honor and remember our servicemen and women who answered America’s call to service and paid the ultimate price. Memorial Day is the time for Americans as one body and voice to stand up and say, “Thank you. We remember you.”
If you are wondering how to spend some time this Memorial day honoring those that have fallen you don’t have to go far or dedicate your whole weekend doing it.
We suggest you simply take the time to find and learn the story behind a fallen hometown hero or dedicate your holiday to a single individual. For some, it is too difficult to think about the vast amount of sacrifices that those have laid down over the years or comprehend the sheer multitude of families that have a very hard time coping this specific week of May.
You can buy and raise a new flag in front of your home.
You can visit a local battlefield and walk where those have fallen.
You can visit your War Memorial or local Cemetery with your kids and seek out the veteran headstones. Maybe lay some flowers for those that don’t have any.
You can attend a local parade or Memorial day function.
You can google a specific person, long lost relative or even ask a veteran you know about someone they lost and enjoy the stories they have to tell about that Servicemember.
You can flood your social media feeds with photos and stories of the fallen ones you cherish.
You can wear a red poppy from your local VFW to show your day of remembrance as they traditionally were among the first flowers to spring up in the devastated battlefields of northern France and Belgium of WW1.
For most of the country at 3 p.m. local time, wherever you are on Memorial Day, we will all pause in an act of national unity for a duration of one minute for the national day of remembrance.
However you spend your memorial day weekend you should do it with at least one thing in mind, Nobody ever intended to be impacted by Memorial Day.
Here are some of the fallen that our team personally recognizes and will always Remember and Honor
PFC Thomas Tucker ARMY
SSG Kevin Davis ARMY
SGT David Evans ARMY
SSG Faoa Apineru USMC
SGT Frank Sandoval ARMY
SSG Timothy Hunt ARMY
LCPL Shaun Hefner USMC
CPL William Pullen USMC
CPL Steven Jorgensen USMC
CPT Frank Wesson USAF
Richard Olsen NAVY
1SGT Vaughn Army
CPT Peak Army
SPC Nevell Army
If you would like to dedicate a donation in the name of a fallen servicemember you can do so here, We will carry the names of the dedicated on our trips for the year.