The following is a joint message from Gen. Tom Hobbins, U.S. Air Forces in Europe commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Gary G. Coleman, USAFE command chief.
Since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, each Memorial Day brings personal and painful reminders of Americans who have paid the ultimate sacrifice fighting the Global War on Terrorism.
Memorial Day was officially proclaimed at the conclusion of the Civil War to honor Union and Confederate soldiers. After World War I, Memorial Day changed to honor Americans who died in any war, and there have been many. Unlike those wars, our current struggle is not waged against an enemy who can be readily identified or fought on a battlefield marked by boundaries or borders. How and when our fight against terrorism ends remains to be seen.
What we do know is that American lives will continue to be lost each year in this fight. We know that our Airmen and the Sailors, Soldiers and Marines who serve alongside them serve their nation knowing full well the price they may pay to preserve our much-valued way of life.
Most assuredly, they know such sacrifice is not in vain. These young Airmen, deployed in harm’s way, are faithfully working to promote freedom, justice and human dignity. We have traveled downrange to visit these young men and women and we continue to be amazed by their personal courage and steadfast resolve. They know they are at the forefront of a long and noble tradition of duty and commitment to our country.
Perhaps there will come a time in history when memories of our sacrifices today will also begin to fade and a renewed call will be made to extol their honor. It is our responsibility to make sure no one from our generation will ever take their sacrifice for granted. Now, more than ever, we feel a deeper respect and commitment toward our brothers and sisters in arms from past wars who rest in peace in cemeteries around the world.
This Memorial Day, take a moment to say thank you to all who serve.
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The following is a joint message from Gen. Tom Hobbins, U.S. Air Forces in Europe commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Gary G. Coleman, USAFE command chief.
Since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, each Memorial Day brings personal and painful reminders of Americans who have paid the ultimate sacrifice fighting the Global War on Terrorism.
Memorial Day was officially proclaimed at the conclusion of the Civil War to honor Union and Confederate soldiers. After World War I, Memorial Day changed to honor Americans who died in any war, and there have been many. Unlike those wars, our current struggle is not waged against an enemy who can be readily identified or fought on a battlefield marked by boundaries or borders. How and when our fight against terrorism ends remains to be seen.
What we do know is that American lives will continue to be lost each year in this fight. We know that our Airmen and the Sailors, Soldiers and Marines who serve alongside them serve their nation knowing full well the price they may pay to preserve our much-valued way of life.
Most assuredly, they know such sacrifice is not in vain. These young Airmen, deployed in harm’s way, are faithfully working to promote freedom, justice and human dignity. We have traveled downrange to visit these young men and women and we continue to be amazed by their personal courage and steadfast resolve. They know they are at the forefront of a long and noble tradition of duty and commitment to our country.
Perhaps there will come a time in history when memories of our sacrifices today will also begin to fade and a renewed call will be made to extol their honor. It is our responsibility to make sure no one from our generation will ever take their sacrifice for granted. Now, more than ever, we feel a deeper respect and commitment toward our brothers and sisters in arms from past wars who rest in peace in cemeteries around the world.
This Memorial Day, take a moment to say thank you to all who serve.