Theresa Carpenter, APRᐩM’s Post

How can your organization use the arts to improve the health, well-being, and quality of life for military-connected communities? Creative Forces Community Engagement Grants aim to help military service members and veterans exposed to trauma as well as their families and caregivers through experiences of art or art making. Learn more about guidelines and eligibility at https://lnkd.in/eMSJ374n This national program is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts and Mid-America Arts Alliance.

🇺🇸 Honoring Our Heroes on Memorial Day 🇺🇸 "Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude. America will never forget their sacrifices." – Harry S. Truman Today, we pause to honor and remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. Their courage, dedication, and selflessness have secured the freedoms we cherish every day. As we reflect on the significance of this day, let's also recognize the families who have lost loved ones. Their strength and resilience are a testament to the profound impact of these heroes. Ways to Honor and Remember: Participate in Memorial Day Events: Attend ceremonies and parades to show your support. Visit Memorials and Cemeteries: Pay your respects at local memorials and veterans' gravesites. Support Veterans: Donate to organizations that assist veterans and their families. Share Stories: If you have a story of a loved one who served, share it to keep their memory alive. Let’s commit to remembering their sacrifices, not just today, but every day. Their legacy is our enduring duty. How are you honoring Memorial Day? Share your thoughts and stories below. #MemorialDay #HonorOurHeroes #RememberAndRespect #ServiceAndSacrifice #Veterans #Honor #Service

3 Facts Most People Don’t Know About Memorial Day 1. While many people know that Memorial Day is a day to honor and remember those who have died in military service to the United States, not everyone is aware of its origins. Memorial Day, originally known as Decoration Day, was first observed after the Civil War to commemorate Union and Confederate soldiers who died in the conflict. It officially became a federal holiday in 1971. 2. In 2000, the U.S. Congress passed the National Moment of Remembrance Act, which asks Americans to pause at 3:00 p.m. local time on Memorial Day for a moment of silence to remember and honor the fallen. This moment of remembrance is a way to unite the nation in honoring the sacrifices of those who have served and died in the military. 3. When Memorial Day was first established as a national holiday in 1971, it was set to be observed on May 30th each year. However, in 1971, the Uniform Monday Holiday Act was passed, which moved the observance of Memorial Day to the last Monday in May. This change was made to create a three-day weekend for federal employees and to encourage the development of long weekends for the American workforce.

This article is written by Lt Col Stuart Scheller, our oldest son. Well written, thought provoking and timely. August 26, 2001 will be forever etched in many of OUR minds, but unfortunately already forgotten or ignored by others. As evidenced by the most recent debate, our fallen were not even counted during this term by our sitting President. This horrifically disastrously planned withdrawal is a prime example, like no other as to why we need reform in our Military. As a gardener, a planner and someone who looks to today but plans for tomorrow, I am making an analogy . The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago, the second best time is now! I plan to plant a Pecan tree now, nurture it and help it to stand tall and produce fruit for the next 300-400 years. Not for my enjoyment, I may never live to see it Produce fruit. But I may be able to bask in its glory and shade in my old age. I will rest in peace with the knowledge that perhaps my tree can provide sustenance for the future generations. Likewise the best time for reform in our Military was 20 years ago, but we have today to make the pruning, grafting and if necessary plant newer deeper roots for the sustenance of tomorrow. Those of us Mothers, Fathers, Sisters, Brothers, Vets and current enlisted need to stand behind this effort to reform our beloved Military. Who do you support and recommend as a new Sec Def? It is time to have this discussion now, to prepare for a new Commander and Chief to pave the way. We have made our voices heard before, add your voice to the fray. Our Military needs a strong leader to guide it into the next century. https://lnkd.in/ewQUUfah

Memorial Day is traditionally a time to remember those who died serving in the United States Armed Forces. In recent years, parades, moments of silence, expensive military demonstrations, and retail sales have come to define the holiday weekend. But there is a critical piece missing in this national remembering: an accounting of exactly how and why hundreds of thousands of Americans have died in military service since World War II—and why a hundred thousand more have died by suicide and overdose since 9/11 and the dawn of the Global War on Terror. Politicians and military leaders will collectively deliver hundreds of hours of prepared remarks across the country on Memorial Day, repeating a theme that has been burned into the public consciousness: honor their sacrifice. What you will not hear is an explanation for why that sacrifice is necessary—what ends are being served by the means of American lives. On this national day of selective recollection, who will speak for the dead? Written by Eric Goepel with Veterans Cannabis Coalition.

In the United States, Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day. Approximately 620,000 men died in the war between the states. Decoration Day in the United States officially started after the U.S. Civil war of April 12, 1861 - April 9, 1865. It started with local groups after the war. In 1866, the state of New York began their official observance on May 5. New York suffered the largest casualty count with around 39,000 deaths during the war. In 1868, the first national recognition of decoration day was observed on May 30. This was the result of efforts by veteran groups of former union soldiers. The practice of remembering loved ones lost in the war was already being done in the American South, even before the end of the war in 1865. This typically involved a visit to the cemetery and the decorating of loved ones graves. In 1971, the U.S. Congress changed memorial day from May 30 to the last Monday in May. This created the three day weekend Americans now know and enjoy. In 1972, Time magazine noted that Memorial Day had devolved into "a three-day nationwide hootenanny that seems to have lost much of its original purpose". For those of us in the United States, this should be a special weekend. It's a time when we should take a moment to reflect on the sacrifices made by the many men and women in service to their neighbors, fellow citizens, and country. It shouldn't go without saying, "All gave some, but some gave all" and the price of freedom comes at a steep price. Every year on Memorial Day we remember those who paid the ultimate price. #freedom #sacrifice #honor #veterans

Breaking News: The Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act has officially passed Congress and is now heading to the President's desk for signature! TAPS is proud to have joined forces with our partners — the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), The American Legion, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) — to advocate for this landmark legislation, which will bring vital benefits to veterans, survivors, and their families. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Chairman Jon Tester, Ranking Member Jerry Moran, Chairman Mike Bost, and Ranking Member Mark Takano for their leadership and hard work in advancing this critical legislation. This bill includes key provisions that directly support TAPS priorities from the Love Lives On Act and Fry Scholarship Enhancement Act, such as: Removing the restrictive "hold oneself out to be married" clause Preserving Fry Scholarship eligibility for remarried surviving spouses Expanding Fry Scholarship access to families who lost a loved one within 120 days of discharge These changes represent meaningful progress in honoring and supporting those grieving the death of a military loved one. #Legislation #Veterans #SurvivorSupport #Advocacy

Memorial Day, from the perspective of a veteran, is a solemn day of remembrance and honor. It’s a day to reflect on the sacrifices of those who have fallen in the line of duty, protecting the freedoms and values we hold dear. For veterans who have experienced the realities of war firsthand, Memorial Day carries a profound significance that goes beyond the typical celebrations and gatherings. It’s a day marked by memories of comrades who never made it home, whose laughter and courage are remembered in the quiet moments of a veteran’s heart. It’s a time to think about the families left behind, the empty seats at dinner tables, and the personal stories of bravery that ended too soon. Veterans understand the weight of loss and the price of freedom in a way that is deeply personal and often painful. Memorial Day is not about the living; it’s about honoring those who have given their lives for something greater than themselves. It’s about the men and women buried in cemeteries across the nation, who were more than just soldiers; they were loved ones, friends, and family. For veterans, the day may also bring a mix of emotions, including pride in their service and a sense of camaraderie with those who understand the cost of war. Yet, it can also be a challenging time, as the focus on military service and sacrifices can trigger memories and emotions related to their own experiences. As a nation, we can honor the true meaning of Memorial Day by participating in commemorative activities, observing moments of silence, and supporting organizations that provide resources and support to veterans and their families. It’s a day to ensure that the legacy of the fallen is not forgotten but is carried forward with respect and gratitude for the freedoms their sacrifices have secured.

For many Americans, Memorial Day is more than just a long weekend and the unofficial start of summer. The holiday's true purpose is to honor U.S. soldiers who have died in service to their country. Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day, with its origins dating back to the Civil War. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans' Affairs, Congress declared it a national holiday in 1971. The Civil War, which ended in the spring of 1865, was the deadliest conflict in U.S. history and led to the creation of the nation’s first national cemeteries. By the late 1860s, Americans across the country began holding springtime ceremonies to pay tribute to the fallen soldiers, decorating their graves with flowers and saying prayers. The exact origins of these traditions are unclear, as many communities may have independently started their own memorial gatherings. Some records indicate that one of the earliest Memorial Day commemorations was organized by a group of formerly enslaved people in Charleston, South Carolina, less than a month after the Confederacy surrendered in 1865. However, in 1966, the federal government declared Waterloo, New York, as the official birthplace of Memorial Day. While Veterans Day in November honors all who have served in the military, Memorial Day specifically honors those who have died while serving in U.S. forces in any war, past or present. An important aspect of Memorial Day is the “National Moment of Remembrance,” a resolution passed in December 2000. It asks all Americans to observe a moment of silence at 3 p.m. local time, pausing from whatever they are doing to reflect and show respect for the fallen. Ultimately, Memorial Day is a day for Americans to reflect on and honor the sacrifices of those who have given their lives in military service. #MemorialDay2024, #NationalMomentofRemembrance,

TAPS Advocates on Capitol Hill for Veterans and Their Families Today, TAPS joined forces with our partners— the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), The American Legion, and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) —to advocate for the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act. This landmark bill holds significant benefits and resources for veterans, survivors, and their families. This legislation includes essential provisions for TAPS priorities from the Love Lives On Act and Fry Scholarship Enhancement Act, such as: - Removing the restrictive "hold oneself out to be married" clause - Preserving Fry Scholarship eligibility for remarried surviving spouses - Expanding Fry Scholarship access to families who lost a loved one within 120 days of discharge These changes are crucial to honoring and supporting families who have lost a military loved one. 📢 Take Action: Encourage your Member of Congress to vote “YES” on November 18th for this important legislation https://lnkd.in/gCeEcMHC