WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee
James and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III send the following
Memorial Day message to the Airmen of the U.S. Air Force and their families:
On May 30, 1868, the first official Memorial Day observance
was held at Arlington National Cemetery to honor and to decorate the graves of
those who died during the Civil War. Today, Memorial Day serves as an
opportunity to pause and remember the sacrifices of more than one million
Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen who gave their lives to
secure our freedoms.
As we remember our fallen, captured, or missing service men
and women, we also express our gratitude to those who are currently defending
our Nation. Among our all-volunteer force serving today, more than 75 percent
of our Airmen joined the Air Force after 9/11 and have never known a peacetime
military. The men and women who answered the call by saying, "Send
me," exemplify the core value of Service Before Self.
In addition to recognizing the service of our Airmen and
fellow service members, we pay tribute to the families of the fallen, as well
as to our wounded warriors and their families. For these families -- the
husbands and wives, sons and daughters, mothers and fathers -- every day is
Memorial Day. To the loved ones of our fallen, captured, or missing service men
and women, we owe a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid.
On this day of remembrance, as we honor those who gave the
last full measure of devotion serving our nation, we affirm our commitment to
military family survivors, as well as to our wounded warriors and their
families. To all of our Airmen, serving at home or abroad, please know that
your sacrifices do not go unnoticed. We are grateful for your service and are
privileged to stand with you, by you, and for you.
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