Memorial Day 2023: Remember Our Heroes

Memorial Day is a day of national recognition to honor the military men and women who gave their lives in defense of our nation and its values.

First observed after the Civil War, Memorial Day was initially called “Decoration Day” because families gathered to remember their loved ones by decorating gravesites with flowers or flags.

It is a tradition that continues across America today. Every Memorial Day, the soldiers from the Third U.S. Infantry Regiment - the Old Guard - place small American flags at every grave marker in Arlington National Cemetery and the Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Home National Cemetery.

In proclaiming that first Decoration Day in 1868, General John Logan, National 2 Commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, wrote that we should not only remember those “who died in defense of their country,” but also, “renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us…the widows and orphans.”

Today, we continue to honor those left behind who paid a personal price for us and our nation, our Gold Star families. We express our appreciation to them on this day especially. We are humbled by their sacrifice, inspired by their resilience and grateful for their continued service to your communities.

This year, I’d like to remember some people who are very special to the Army – without them, the Army would not be what it is today. In the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act, Congress directed a Naming Commission to recommend new names for Department of Defense properties that commemorated the confederacy or anyone who voluntarily served in the Confederate States of America in the Civil War.

Nine Army installations were identified. Over the next year, they will be renamed for individuals that reflect not only our Army values, but the future of the Army.

I just came back from spending a week at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri. General Leonard Wood was a special leader that put his soldiers and our country first. As Army Chief of Staff he developed training theories and techniques that effectively transformed American civilians into soldiers and helped build our forces ahead of World War 1. It is an Army Center of Excellence that helps keep our country safe.

I’d like to share a little about some of our newly named installations in the United States Army. They are all deserving but also inspirational.

Hal Moore was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for valor during the fight at Landing Zone Xray November, 1965.

Fort Moore, in Georgia, commemorates an Army husband and wife team. Lieutenant General Hal Moore commanded U.S. forces in the first large-scale battle of the Vietnam War. His book, “We Were Soldiers Once … and Young,” was made into the 2002 movie, “We Were Soldiers.”

His wife, Julia Moore, was instrumental in fighting for support for military families and improving their quality of life. A lot of the services we take for granted in the Army were initiated by her. Childcare, compassionate communication of bad news and caring for the widows of fallen soldiers began with a woman who knew the Army could do better and ensured that we did.

Fort Eisenhower, in Georgia, commemorates Dwight D. Eisenhower, who began his 50 years of service as a second lieutenant and rose to Commander in Chief. He led combined ground, air and sea forces on D-Day in the greatest amphibious landing in history. Elected president in 1952 and 1956, he faithfully served and led our country.

Fort Walker, in Virginia, commemorates Dr. Mary Edwards Walker, who served as a surgeon during the Civil War, initially as a volunteer, since women were not then allowed to join the Army. Although a civilian, she was awarded the Medal of Honor. She was proud of her service and thought others should be, too, once saying, “Let the generations know that women in uniform also guaranteed their freedom.”

Fort Cavazos, in Texas, commemorates General Richard E. Cavazos, who served in the Korean War and was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for leading three charges on an entrenched enemy position and returning to the field five times to evacuate his men.

He was awarded a second Distinguished Service Cross for rallying his men through an ambush organizing a counterattack and leading several maneuvers to destroy extensive enemy defenses in Vietnam. His personal courage, commitment to his Soldiers and dedication to his mission are an example to all of us.

Fort Gregg-Adams, in Virginia, commemorates Lieutenant General Arthur J. Gregg and Lieutenant Colonel Charity Adams. Gregg enlisted in 1945, an African American who helped change the culture and desegregate the Army from the ground up. He ran a supply depot in Japan, commanded a supply and support battalion in Vietnam and served in Germany throughout the Cold War.

He was logistics director for the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics for the Army. Adams joined the Women’s Army Corps during World War II and became the first African American woman to be an officer in the auxiliary. Later, she became the first Black commander of a Black female battalion to go to Europe. Under her command, the famous Six Triple Eight Central Postal Directory Battalion worked three shifts around the clock seven days a week to clear a mail backlog, processing approximately sixty-five-thousand pieces of mail a shift. The Army thought it would take six months to clear the backlog; the Six Triple Eight did it in three.

Fort Barfoot, in Virginia, commemorates Colonel Van T. Barfoot, who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions in Italy in May 1944. Under fire, he moved out alone and was able to turn the tide of the enemy attack, ultimately taking seventeen prisoners. Later in the afternoon, the Germans counterattacked. At considerable risk to himself, Barfoot disabled the lead tank, destroyed field artillery and helped evacuate two grievously injured American Soldiers.

Fort Johnson, in Louisiana, commemorates Sergeant William Henry Johnson, who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions during World War One. In the middle of the night, Johnson and one other Black American were on sentry duty when they were attacked. With his partner incapacitated, Johnson sounded the alarm and single-handedly attacked approximately two dozen German soldiers, throwing grenades until his supply was exhausted and firing his rifle until he spent his ammunition. He used his rifle as a club and fought hand-to-hand combat, ultimately saving his comrade, sounding the alarm and securing his unit’s safety and position. He was the first hero of the Great War and received the French Croix de Guerre.

Fort Novosel in Alabama commemorates Chief Warrant Officer Michael J. Novosel Sr., who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions in Vietnam, where he flew a medivac helicopter. In his two tours in Vietnam, he flew 2543 extraction missions, rescuing more than 5500 seriously wounded Soldiers. In October 1969, he evacuated a group of wounded and surrounded South Vietnamese soldiers, starting at five in the morning and ending finally eighteen hours later. It took six trips, all through enemy fire, with no place to land. His skillful flying saved 29 men.

The Army is proud to honor the courage, sacrifice and diversity of these distinguished Soldiers and civilians. There are many more examples of men and women across the ages who exhibited the core Army values of Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage.

These values continue to serve as a guide for the Force and provide a sense of common unity.

In closing and calling to action this Memorial Day, I hope that we can remember the common bond we have with the soldiers who have gone before us, who selflessly served our country and paid the ultimate price. We honor them by participating in the National Moment of Remembrance, a call to pause at 3 pm local time on Monday, Memorial Day, to reflect on and remember those Americans who died in service to our nation. We can fly our flags at half-staff from sunrise until noon, then raise them briskly to the top of the staff until sunset, in honor of the nation’s battle heroes.

Do you know a Gold Star or surviving family? Take this day to let them know that you remember their soldier and are grateful for their selfless service.

Memorial Day is a time to honor our commitment to never forget those who served and sacrificed for America. It is a day we should participate in a meaningful act of remembrance and ensure that these Soldiers and their selfless service will continue to resonate with Americans for years to come.

Mario A. Guerra is a two-time former Downey mayor and currently serves as the Civilian Aide To The Secretary Of The Army. He can be reached at www.marioaguerra.com