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What Veterans can learn from Wreaths Across America On December 16th, the annual laying of wreaths coordinated by Wreaths Across America (WAA) takes place once again. The large group that lays wreaths in Arlington National Cemetery tends to get most of the attention, but it's important to remember this will happen at more than 3,400 locations. I still remember my first WAA at Arlington National Cemetery in 2008. About 5,000 of us placed 10,000 wreaths in 2 sections. It was fun, moving, and chaotic. Afterwards, I was skeptical when I read the vision to put a wreath on all 270,000 graves in Arlington in one morning – surely an impossible task. I kept going every year. More volunteers showed up and more graves got wreaths. Incredibly, I participated in December 2014, when every grave in got a wreath.  For #Veterans facing challenges in a new job, or growing their business, or completing their education, the success of WAA provides relevant insights: - Be bold – having big aspirations is a good thing. Plan to be great in your job, have a thriving business, or be a top student. - Stick at it – work hard and get better every day. Putting wreaths in Arlington every year showed changes needed to reach the goal. - Enlist the help of other Veterans – like the companies that got involved with WAA, enlist other Veterans to help you. They want to be asked. #VHV | Veterans Helping Veterans #Community #WreathsAcrossAmerica

Check out the November issue of the Minnesota Veteran. There are many great things happening for Minnesota’s Veterans. #pressrelease #veteran #veteransupport #minnesota #newsletter #veterans #veteransaffairs #veteranshelpingveterans

Honoring the brave, remembering the fallen. This Memorial Day, we salute the heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. Take a moment to reflect and honor their legacy. #carbel #carbelllc #warehousing #warehouselogistics #warehousedistribution #warehousing #warehousetransportation #3PL #4PL #freightforwarding #securedlogistics #customssupport #supplychainmanagement #inventorymanagement #crossdock

♠️ #VeteransDay "Throughout history, warriors and protectors have played a crucial role in society. From ancient times to the present day, they have been responsible for defending their communities and nations from external threats. The historical perspective of warriors and protectors can be framed by examining the evolution of weapons and warfare, as well as the development of shields and other protective gear. The book "Ancient Warriors" provides an overview of the history of warfare, beginning with the very first warriors of the Bronze Age and ending with the Medieval armies of Britain and France. Shields have been an important part of waging conflict throughout history, and much thought went into their design and production. In addition to their role in warfare, warriors and protectors have also been responsible for maintaining law and order within their communities. For example, Native American shields were used by warriors to protect themselves during battles, but they were also used by law enforcement to maintain peace and order. Overall, the historical perspective of warriors and protectors is one of bravery, sacrifice, and service to their communities and nations. They have played a vital role in shaping the course of history and continue to do so today."

Today is an importand day in our calendar. Each year seems more important than the last. We should forget the sacrifices that came before us. There are lessons from our history that remain relevant, even today. Lest We Forget. #remembranceday2023

🇺🇸 Honoring Our Fallen Heroes This Memorial Day 🇺🇲 Memorial Day, observed on the last Monday of May, is a solemn day to remember the brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces who gave their lives in service to our country. More Than a Summer Kickoff! While Memorial Day often marks the unofficial start of summer, with barbecues and backyard get-togethers, it's important to remember the true meaning of the holiday. It's a day to honor the sacrifices made by those who fought for our freedom. 🇺🇲 Ways to Observe Memorial Day - Visit a cemetery or memorial: Pay your respects to fallen soldiers by placing flags on their graves or attending a local ceremony. - Volunteer your time: Many organizations hold events to honor veterans on Memorial Day. Consider volunteering at a veteran's home or participating in a fundraising event. - Learn about the history of Memorial Day: Reflect on the origins of the holiday and the sacrifices made throughout American history. - Moment of silence: At 3:00 pm local time on Memorial Day, a National Moment of Remembrance is held. Pause for a moment of silence wherever you are to honor those who died serving our country. #MemorialDay #HonorTheFallen #NeverForget 🇺🇸 By remembering and honoring our fallen heroes, we can ensure their sacrifices are never forgotten.

ENSURING THE LEGACY OF THOSE WHO GAVE ALL As Memorial Day approaches, I find myself in a familiar routine: checking on the areas that hold so many memories, both bitter and sweet. Memorial Day is a time for reflection and remembrance, It’s also a time to help those still affected by the wars, to rebuild lives, and to make sure sacrifices were not in vain. My experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan are etched into my mind, from walking through Baghdad, a city that dates back to 762 AD to standing before Alexander's Castle, a relic from over 2000 years ago. Our mission was clear, but the region's history made things complicated. Reflecting on my time there, I often wonder: What is the true cost of war? How do we help those who were affected by the war? Questions not easily answered. The constant danger, losing friends, and the moral challenges of war leave deep scars. These experiences force you to grow up quickly, facing life’s fragility and harsh realities. Philosophically, my journey has taken me from feeling that life is meaningless (nihilism) to searching for personal meaning (existentialism). Seeing the chaos and destruction of war can make life feel pointless. The loss of life and the struggle for peace can make one question everything. In the years after my service, I traveled a lot, looking for something to fill the void left by war. This emptiness is common among veterans, a sense of something missing that civilian life can't fill. For me, the answer was in storytelling. By traveling and immersing myself in different cultures, I wanted to understand people better and to find stories that needed to be told. This journey helped me connect with people from all walks of life, gaining insights that enriched my perspective and gave me a new sense of purpose. I dedicated myself to telling stories, to highlight the struggles and successes of human kind. My experiences as a young Army Ranger have given me a unique perspective, one that I hope can help others understand and appreciate the complexities of human existence. Even if it means helping in the smallest ways, whether by sharing stories, supporting veterans, or advocating for those still affected by the conflicts, every effort counts. It’s about making a difference, no matter how small, and ensuring that the legacy of those who gave all is honored and remembered. #MemorialDay #Veterans #RLTW #NativeAmerican #MentalHealth #VeteranSupport #Philosophy

Where’s Claire Memorial Day Weekend?:Celebrating the Service of Those Who Have Fallen with Those Are Still With Us Douglas MacArthur’s insight that those who serve in the military desire peace more than the rest of us rings true, especially on days like this one. It is they after all, he said, who must pay the greatest penalty. I’m surrounded by veterans, as they celebrate the service of fallen brethren and tackle the often daunting “penalties” visited upon those who survive the battlefield. Rather than rattle off statistics for us to get lost in, I’ll ask a few questions for our joint consideration: Should ANY PERSON who serves or served in the military ever confront the trauma of not having the food needed to thrive? Or…should any one of them, struggle with untreated (though treatable) medical, mental or emotional health challenges? Or…should even one of them ever feel alone? My answers for veterans and for all of us is a resounding NO! As is consistently the case with hunger, it exists with veterans alongside other barriers. I count my company today as heroes— not only because of what they did on the battlefield, but for how they bravely fight what, according to some here, is a far more difficult battle—returning home. Due, in large part, to the vision and support of #DanStarks, veterans have a platform here with which to learn from and lean on each other. Their shared experiences are being leveraged in powerful—groundbreaking even—ways. Governor #MarkGordon is here, as are the First Lady’s fingerprints (#JennieGordon), and #TimSheppard (#WyomingHungerInitiative) and #RachelBailey(#FoodBankofWyoming). If you’d like to know my precise location in this beautiful state, take a look at the video below. #WheresClaire #HonorService #feedingamerica #MakeHungerHistory

Freedom isn’t free

Honoring Our Fallen Heroes: Memorial Day and Beyond As Memorial Day approaches, I want to highlight the often-overlooked stories behind the names we see on bridges, highways, and cemeteries. These are the names of our fallen veterans, and their stories are fading as the last survivors of WWII, Korea, and Vietnam pass on. My own ancestors served, and I grew up hearing incredible stories of bravery and sacrifice. It's a source of regret that I didn't preserve their words more carefully. We're losing precious first-hand accounts with every passing day. The recent news about the Francis Scott Key Bridge reminded me how little the younger generations may know about America’s past. Let's change that! This May, I'll be sharing stories of some of the places dedicated to fallen veterans. I hope this will inspire others to learn the history behind these names. Is there a national map or resource listing veteran-named highways and bridges? If you know of one, please share! May 2/31 Next time you're on US Highway 12, remember the sacrifices of the Iron Brigade! This Civil War unit, known for its black hats and bravery, suffered heavy losses at battles like Gettysburg. This portion of the highway is also dedicated to such battles as Second Bull Run and Antietam. I was fortunate enough to serve alongside USS Antietam (CG 54), third in name, for four deployments. Learning the history of the Battle of Antietam is well worth the read/viewing (in comments) for those who do not know of this historic battle. While the battle took place in Maryland, there are dedications to those that died in battle all along US Highway 12. Look for historical markers in WI, MI, & IN commemorating these soldiers. #IronBrigade #USHistory #RoadTrip #CivilWarBattlefield #NeverForget #Maryland #lestweforget #veterans #heroes #memorialday