Veterans reflect on sacrifice and loss ahead of Memorial Day holiday

Veterans at the Armed Forces Retirement Home honored the fallen with an early Memorial Day ceremony.

Each member of the Armed Forces, from the day of enlistment, has to come to terms with the sacrifices they might make.

Not all will pay the ultimate price for freedom, but today, they honor those who have. 

For active duty Colonel Andrew Ratcliffe III, each fallen veteran is someone he can look up to as he continues to serve.  

“To honor them, to honor their memory for what they gave, means so much to me as a service member,” Ratcliffe said. “… trying to serve others above ourselves is so important.”

Memorial Day holds a special meaning for veterans who now are left to grieve their own friends and family who gave up their lives.

“I had a 21-year-old cousin who died at Vietnam on his second tour,” former Navy Chief L.V. Golson shared. “He had like 14 days left… and he didn’t come back.”

Many take Memorial Day to remember all who dedicated their life to serving before them. 

“I have an uncle who is actually buried in the Arlington National cemetery who still has a Navy award named after him because of what he did in the military,” said Kimberly Golson, former Senior Navy Chief. “And that… one of the things that did was encourage me to keep on trying.”

The Golsons take advantage of every second of freedom veterans have afforded them and they hope others will, too — knowing what it costs. 

“There are so many who have sacrificed for us to be free today and we should never forget that,” L.V. said.

Kimberly Golson added, “And the people today in this country… there are so many people who have forgotten that and need to be reminded. Memorial Day is a great day and a great time to remind people just what other people give up.”

If you know a veteran in your life, reach out to them this Memorial Day. according to the National Institutes for Health, nearly 40% of veterans experience survivor’s guilt.

If you are a veteran who needs assistance on Memorial Day, you can reach out to the VA mental health hotline at 1-877-927-8387.