Honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice

Commentary by Air Force Col. Brian P. Duffy
JBER and 673 ABW commander

5/22/2014 - JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- On May 26, we will pause to mark the 146th official observance of Memorial Day. Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on May 5, 1868, by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, and first observed on May 30, 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery.

While, to many, it marks the unofficial start of summer, the true origins and intent of this day of reconciliation can be found in excerpts from Logan's General Order Number 11.

"The 30th day of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit. Let us, then, at the time appointed gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with the choicest flowers of spring-time; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved from dishonor; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us a sacred charge upon a nation's gratitude, the soldier's and sailor's widow and orphan.

It is the purpose of the commander-in-chief to inaugurate this observance with the hope it will be kept up from year to year, while a survivor of the war remains to honor the memory of his departed comrades."

The tradition of wearing red poppies on Memorial Day was conceived by Moina Michael, inspired by the poem "In Flanders Fields." She was the first to wear one, and sold poppies to friends and acquaintances with the proceeds donated to benefit service members in need.

The practice expanded to include the production and sale of artificial red poppies and has been advanced by agencies including the early Franco-American Children's League, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and others.

Remembrance activities are also many, and remind us all of this day's origins. Flags are placed by soldiers of the 3rd U.S. Infantry at more than 260,000 gravestones at Arlington National Cemetery. Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts place flags on the 150,000 graves at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery near St. Louis, and with the assistance of the Girl Scouts, place a candle at the 15,300 grave sites of those buried at Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park.

On Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, we will have our Annual Memorial Day Service on Monday, May 26, at noon at our Fort Richardson National Cemetery. We sincerely hope you can join us to mark this very special day and keep the true meaning of Memorial Day at the forefront.

That said, this time of year also begins our Critical Days of Summer with this year's theme of "Risk: Double Checks, Not Second Thoughts." As described in his May 19 memo to all personnel in Pacific Air Forces, General Hawk Carlisle reports he "is pleased to report that as a result of (our) efforts, FY14 mishaps are trending down." Through smart, real-time risk management and personal risk management skills, we have the opportunity stay on course!

Our campaign this year will consist of 15 weekly modules which will provide focus and attention on topics and activities that can present opportunity for mishaps through our critical days of summer period, and honestly, well beyond that and throughout the remainder of the year. I ask commanders and supervisors at all levels to review these materials and incorporate into your safety briefs. Risk management not only has its place in a mission setting, but with life in Alaska simply being different than what most experience in the lower 48 and in other locations, it has a big role in daily life.

I'm extremely proud to serve with all of you here on freedom's front lines and thank you again for your collective efforts to support the many missions and people of Team JBER. Please take time to put the true meaning of Memorial Day first and foremost as we take time to reset and re-charge. And, as always, have a plan, have fun, know your limits ... we look forward to seeing everyone back after the holiday.