MESSAGE FROM THE SECRETARY - Memorial Day 2015

 

VETERANS AFFAIRS

VA News Release

MESSAGE FROM THE SECRETARY - Memorial Day 2015
05/22/2015 02:22 PM EDT
MESSAGE FROM THE SECRETARY
Memorial Day 2015
Many have heard the saying, "Poor is the Nation that has no heroes, but beggared is the Nation that has and forgets them." 
On this Memorial Day, let us pause to remember those who gave the last full measure of devotion for our Nation.  Let us remember the special nobility and grace of those who donned the uniforms of our country and sacrificed their lives during times of conflict.  Let us remember—as we renew our commitment to honor those we have lost—that, every day, dedicated men and women put their lives on the line to protect all of us.  We owe them all our deepest gratitude.
Over 70 years ago, on June 6, 1944, 175,000 American, Canadian, and British troops spearheaded the Allies’ assault against the forces of tyranny threatening millions of people across Europe.  Exposed to devastating fire on the beaches of Normandy, those brave souls established a beachhead, began the Allied march across Europe, and sent a message of hope across the continent.  That message, writ large by the hands of heroes, signaled Freedom’s triumph over evil and the preface to peace for a world too long at war.
From the opening rounds of the American Revolution, through the devastation of the Civil War, through World War I, World War II, and Korea, through Vietnam and Desert Storm, to those who have fought—and fight still today—so hard and valiantly in Afghanistan and Iraq, more than a million American Servicemembers have paid the ultimate price to secure the blessings of liberty for our Nation and our allies around the world.
As many of our National Cemetery Administration employees prepare our cemeteries, our national shrines, and work on Memorial Day activities to welcome our guests, I encourage all of us to show our support for Veterans and honor those who have passed by attending or participating in an event at a national cemetery near you.  For a complete listing, please visit: http://www.cem.va.gov/CEM/cems/2015_Memorial_Day_Ceremonies.asp
At VA, we honor those lost in the way we care for those who returned home—and for their families and Survivors.  Thank you for all that you do for Veterans.  It is a privilege to serve with each one of you in fulfilling our sacred mission.
On this Memorial Day, may God bless our Veterans, their families, all of our VA employees and your families, and our great Nation.
Robert A. McDonald

FW: Purple Heart Recipients Object to Award of Medal to Oklahoma City Bombing Victims

   

Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible;

 and suddenly you are doing the impossible.

---------- Forwarded Message ----------
From: Military Order of the Purple Heart <communications@purpleheart.org>
To: richardandshirley@netzero.net
Cc:
Subject: Purple Heart Recipients Object to Award of Medal to Oklahoma City Bombing Victims
Date: Mon, 4 May 2015 18:28:56 -0400 (EDT)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Washington, DC May 4, 2015 Purple Heart Recipients Object to Award of Medal to Oklahoma City Bombing Victims The Military Order of the Purple Heart of the USA, a Veteran Service Organization composed exclusively of combat wounded servicemen and women who received the Purple Heart medal for their service and sacrifice on the battlefield against the enemies of the United States, is dismayed by and adamantly opposed to recent legislation introduced in Congress to award the Purple Heart medal to victims of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing. While the MOPH is sympathetic to the loss suffered by the families and friends of the victims of the Oklahoma City bombing, and especially those who were serving at the time in the Armed Forces of the U.S. it cannot support or condone award of America's oldest and most venerated combat decoration for an act of pure domestic violence. The attack on the Federal Building which killed 168 people and injured more than 680 others on April 19, 1995 was carried out by Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols solely in retaliation for a perceived Federal Government mishandling of the 1993 siege of Ruby Ridge, and was timed to coincide with the second anniversary of the deadly fire that ended the siege in Waco, TX. The criteria for award of the Purple Heart medal has been constant and clear - it is awarded only to those who are killed or wounded in combat. In recent years the criteria has been extended to accommodate a change in warfare that has brought the battlefield to our own shores in the form of international terrorism. The MOPH has fully supported award of the Purple Heart to victims in the Pentagon on September 11, 2001, and the 2009 Ft. Hood, TX, and the Little Rock AR Recruiting Station shootings because these incidents were clearly inspired or motivated by international terrorist organizations. The Oklahoma City bombing had nothing to do with combat on the battlefield or international terrorism. The MOPH urges all Members of the US Senate and House of Representatives, especially those who serve on the Armed Services Committees, to reject this amendment that would cheapen the intent and importance of the Purple Heart medal and denigrate its meaning for those who have received it for their sacrifices to protect the freedoms that all Americans enjoy. The organization now known as the "Military Order of the Purple Heart of the U.S.A. Inc.," (MOPH) was formed in 1932 for the protection and mutual interest of all combat wounded veterans and active duty men and women who have received the decoration. Chartered by the Congress, The MOPH is unique among Veteran Service Organizations in that all its members were wounded in combat. For this sacrifice, they were awarded the Purple Heart Medal. With grants from the MOPH Service Foundation, the MOPH and its Ladies Auxiliary promote Patriotism, Fraternalism, and the Preservation of America's military history. Most importantly, through veteran service, they provide comfort and assistance to all Veterans and their families, especially those requiring claims assistance with the VA, those who are homeless, and those requiring employment assistance. Programs of the MOPH include VA Volunteer Service, First Responder Recognition, JROTC Leadership Award, Scholarships, Americanism, Purple Heart Trail and Cities, Welfare, and numerous community service programs, all with the objective of service to Veterans and their families. For information contact: National Public Relations Director, John Bircher, (352) 753-5535 Or, National Adjutant, Ernesto Hernandez, (703) 642-5360 MOPH on web MOPH on Facebook

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FW: VVA: : National Military Appreciation Month

Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible;

 and suddenly you are doing the impossible.

---

Date: Fri, 1 May 2015 20:34:20 -0500
From: vva@vva2.talklist.com
To: spoc67vva@gmail.com; vva@vva2.talklist.com
Subject: VVA: : National Military Appreciation Month

VVA Talklist ------------------

  

From: Military Order of the Purple Heart
Date: May 1, 2015 4:11:49 PM
Subject: National Military Appreciation Month
To: gande3@verizon.net

Military Order of the Purple Heart Salutes All American Veterans  and Those Still Serving in the  U.S. Armed Forces Fellow Patriots; In 1999, the US Congress designated May as National Military Appreciation Month to ensure the nation was given the opportunity to "publicly demonstrate their appreciation for the sacrifices and successes made by our veterans and active service members." May was selected because it has most days set aside for celebrating and commemorating our military's achievements. These days include Loyalty Day, Victory in Europe (VE) Day commemorating the end of WWII in Europe, Armed Forces Day, Military Spouse Appreciation Day, and of course, Memorial Day. Memorial Day, is the only federal holiday in May and is celebrated on the last Monday of the month. The day, dating from the Civil War era, traditionally has marked recognition of those who have died in service to the nation. Each year on Memorial Day, the nation observes one minute of silence at 3 p.m. (local time) to honor the military's fallen comrades and to pay tribute to the sacrifices by the nation's service members and veterans. For those of us who have served and sacrificed and have received the Purple Heart medal for wounds received on the battlefield, we too pause to thank those brothers and sisters who served beside us and, in many cases, had our backs or saved our lives. J. Patrick Little National Commander Military Order of the Purple Heart | 703-642-5360 | www.purpleheart.org

Forward this email This email was sent to gande3@verizon.net by communications@purpleheart.org |   Update Profile/Email Address | Rapid removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy. Military Order of the Purple Heart | 5413 B Backlick | Springfield | VA | 22151

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