Memorial Day Links at Military.com Our Flag Has Meaning A U.S. naval officer offers some stirring Memorial Day thoughts about the Stars and Stripes. A Growing Tribute: The Honor the Fallen Foundation "'You are not forgotten.' Dave Cruz and the members of the Honor the Fallen foundation want to shout this message from every mountaintop -- every mountaintop of the Seven Summits, to be exact." Memorial Days "For some soldiers every day is Memorial Day ... preparing their fallen brothers and sisters-in-arms for the long trip home." Buddy Finder Want to reconnect with a long-lost fellow veteran? Search a database of over 20 million members. Veterans Stories Discover America's rich military history through these letters and anecdotes. Veterans Benefits & Resources Learn about the benefits you may qualify for. You've served your country well -- let your country serve you. Museum and Memorial Guides You can honor the U.S. military on Memorial Day with a visit to a local museum or memorial. Military and Veteran Discounts Discounts on quality products and services are a 'thank you' for service from America's top companies. The Passdown: On Memorial Day Chris: Take Back Memorial Day "Memorial Day is meant to be a solemn occasion, a uniquely military holiday?the only one that honors fallen soldiers." Joseph Kinney: Remembering Those Who Serve "I am certain that we can best honor the dead of our military by honoring those who wear our colors today." America Supports You: 'Packages from Home' Thank You for Your Service Packages From Home provides a way for you to Support Our Troops by donating goods for gift packages to remind troops that Americans support them; donating funds to defray mailing costs; or by volunteering your time to wrap and mail gift packages to deployed troops serving overseas. Packages From Home is based in Glendale Arizona and welcomes your assistance! Pearl Harbor Memorial Registry On this special day of observance, pay a lasting tribute to a loved one by including them in the Pearl Harbor Memorial Registry. In remembrance of Memorial Day this year, the Pearl Harbor Memorial Fund invites you to make a special recognition in honor of the Hero in your life who has sacrificed to preserve the freedoms we all enjoy. Please visit The Pearl Harbor Memorial Fund to learn more about this unique opportunity. Spotlight: Paralyzed Veterans of America Johnnie L. Williams entered the U.S. Army on June 13, 2001. Following basic training at Fort Benning, GA, Williams was stationed at Fort Gordon, GA, and received training in satellite communications. He completed that training as a private first class (E-3), and Williams was sent to Germany for three months. In February 2003, he was deployed to Iraq. He served in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. On May 5, 2003, Williams became injured when the Humvee he was driving in a convoy was sideswiped by what is believed to have been a civilian-operated vehicle. He lost control of his Humvee and in the accident that resulted, Williams sustained a L3/L4-level spinal cord injury. He was retired at the rank of sergeant (E-5). Williams was honorably discharged after incurring his injury. A native of Tampa, FL, Williams is currently undergoing rehabilitation at the Spinal Cord Injury Center at the Tampa VA Medical Center. Video of Johnnie L. Williams To find out more about the PVA and how you can help in honoring these special veterans, visit the PVA Page.

The National Moment of Remembrance takes place for one minute each year on Memorial Day, starting at 3 p.m., local time.

"The time 3 p.m. was chosen because it is the time when most Americans are enjoying their freedoms on the national holiday," according to a news release from the White House Commission on Remembrance. "The moment does not replace traditional Memorial Day events; rather, it is an act of national unity in which all Americans, alone or with family and friends, honor those who died for our freedom."

Observing the moment can be as simple as ringing a bell three times or pausing for a moment of silence, the news release said. Americans are encouraged to ask others to remember, including family, friends and co-workers.

Established by Congress in December 2000, the White House Commission on Remembrance encourages Americans to remember the sacrifices of its fallen military members, as well as the families they leave behind. According to its mission statement, the commission "promotes acts of remembrance throughout the year and asks Americans to pay our debt of gratitude in memory of our fallen by giving something back to the nation."

The idea for the program came in May 1996 when the commission's director, Carmella LaSpada, asked children touring the nation's capital what Memorial Day meant to them. "That's the day the pool opens," they said.

Providing a sense of history to America's citizens and ensuring younger generations remember the sacrifices made to preserve their freedom is a major goal, the news release said.

In addition to the National Moment of Remembrance, the commission has promoted other programs. In June 2004, the commission sponsored a "historically accurate" sand sculpture on Normandy Beach, France, to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of D-Day, according to its Web site. Sand sculptors worked for six days, making a 30-foot by 30-foot sculpture of allied troops storming the beach.

The commission employs cartoonists to create new, limited-edition cartoons for a calendar each year. It also partners with Dear Abby to send messages of support to the nation's troops.

For more information on the Moment of Remembrance activities or the White House Commission on Remembrance, go to the Moment of Remembrance Website.


The National Memorial Day Parade - 2006

Memorial Day Monday, May 29, 2006
Parade Start Time: Noon
Parade Starting Point: Third and Madison NW
Washington, D.C.

The National Memorial Day Parade is an annual event in Washington, D.C. organized by the National Memorial Day Parade Committee, a coalition of military, veteran and civic groups in association with the White House Commission on Remembrance, America SupportsYou and the World War II Veterans Committee of the American Veterans Center.

The event honors all those who have served our country in uniform from the American Revolution to Operation Iraqi Freedom, and seeks to educate American's about the sacrifices made by those who served to secure the liberties we enjoy today.

For information on the parade, please visit the National Memorial Day Parade Website.


Prayer for Peace, Memorial Day, 2006
A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America

Throughout our history, the men and women who have worn the uniform of the United States have placed the security of our Nation before their own safety. America will be forever grateful for their service and sacrifice. On Memorial Day, we honor those who have paid the ultimate price for our freedom.

Defending the ideals of our Nation has required the service and sacrifice of those from every generation. From Valley Forge, across Europe and Asia, and in Afghanistan and Iraq, courageous Americans have given their lives so that others could live in freedom. These Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen took an oath to defend America, and they upheld that oath with bravery and decency. They have liberated the oppressed, spread freedom and peace, and set a standard of courage and compassion for our Nation. All who enjoy the blessings of liberty live in their debt.

This debt of gratitude extends also to the families who stood by our servicemen and women in times of war and times of peace. Each of the fallen has left behind loved ones who carry a burden of grief, and all Americans are inspired by the strength of these families.

At this important time in the history of freedom, a new generation of Americans is defending our flag and our liberty. These men and women carry on the legacy of our Nation's fallen heroes and demonstrate that the United States Armed Forces remain the greatest force for freedom in human history.

Those who lost their lives in the defense of freedom helped protect our citizens and lay the foundation of peace for people everywhere. On Memorial Day, a grateful Nation pays tribute to their personal courage, love of country, and dedication to duty.

In respect for their devotion to America, the Congress, by a joint resolution approved on May 11, 1950, as amended (64 Stat. 158), has requested the President to issue a proclamation calling on the people of the United States to observe each Memorial Day as a day of prayer for permanent peace and designating a period on that day when the people of the United States might unite in prayer. The Congress, by Public Law 106-579, has also designated the minute beginning at 3:00 p.m. local time on that day as a time for all Americans to observe the National Moment of Remembrance.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim Memorial Day, May 29, 2006, as a day of prayer for permanent peace, and I designate the hour beginning in each locality at 11:00 a.m. of that day as a time to unite in prayer. I also ask all Americans to observe the National Moment of Remembrance beginning at 3 p.m., local time, on Memorial Day. I encourage the media to participate in these observances. I also request the Governors of the United States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the appropriate officials of all units of government, to direct that the flag be flown at half staff until noon on this Memorial Day on all buildings, grounds, and naval vessels throughout the United States, and in all areas under its jurisdiction and control. I also request the people of the United States to display the flag at half staff from their homes for the customary forenoon period.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixteenth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand six, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirtieth.

GEORGE W. BUSH