A Memorial Day Message from Tommy McMahon

Dear Joe Pacheco,

It started after the Civil War before the United States of America established National Cemeteries. It became the tradition for people to decorate the graves of soldiers killed in that most horrible conflict.

Then came the "World War:" it didn’t have a number then because it was “The war to end all wars.” With more heroes, graves in more places, some on foreign soil, with no one to mourn or remember them.

Then — WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, some places without names, just numbers. America’s best were called upon to pay the price for an idea: Freedom.

We remember them in ceremonies this weekend; we, those who fought beside our heroes remember them every day. We are called upon to be the best we can be to honor those who never had the chance to enjoy that freedom. We are called upon to honor those who have spent their lives so we could become husbands, fathers, or grandfathers.

As president of the 173d Airborne Brigade Association I salute them and you. Have a safe and pleasant Memorial Day Weekend.

Thomas S. McMahon

President