Yesterday commemorated Gold Star Mother and Family Day.⠀ ⠀ Gold Star Mothers and Families are people that have lost loved ones — members of the military that paid the ultimate sacrifice. This day is intended to recognize and honor those mothers who have lost a son or daughter in the service of the U.S. Armed Forces.⠀ ⠀ ——⠀ ⠀ Gold Star Mothers were named after the custom of hanging a service flag near the front window in military households. The flag featured a star for each family member serving their country – living members were denoted in blue but gold stars honored family members who were killed while in duty.⠀ ⠀ Today we not only remember these service members, but we also look to those they left behind, the families, and loved ones that supported them and paid their own sacrifice.

[igp-video src="" poster="https://www.arlington.media/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/yesterday-commemorated-gold-star-mother-and-family-day.⠀-⠀-gold-star-mothers-and-families-are-pe.jpg" size="large"]

Continue ReadingYesterday commemorated Gold Star Mother and Family Day.⠀ ⠀ Gold Star Mothers and Families are people that have lost loved ones — members of the military that paid the ultimate sacrifice. This day is intended to recognize and honor those mothers who have lost a son or daughter in the service of the U.S. Armed Forces.⠀ ⠀ ——⠀ ⠀ Gold Star Mothers were named after the custom of hanging a service flag near the front window in military households. The flag featured a star for each family member serving their country – living members were denoted in blue but gold stars honored family members who were killed while in duty.⠀ ⠀ Today we not only remember these service members, but we also look to those they left behind, the families, and loved ones that supported them and paid their own sacrifice.

Yesterday commemorated Gold Star Mother and Family Day.⠀ ⠀ Gold Star Mothers and Families are people that have lost loved ones — members of the military that paid the ultimate sacrifice. This day is intended to recognize and honor those mothers who have lost a son or daughter in the service of the U.S. Armed Forces.⠀ ⠀ ——⠀ ⠀ Gold Star Mothers were named after the custom of hanging a service flag near the front window in military households. The flag featured a star for each family member serving their country – living members were denoted in blue but gold stars honored family members who were killed while in duty.⠀ ⠀ Today we not only remember these service members, but we also look to those they left behind, the families, and loved ones that supported them and paid their own sacrifice.

[igp-video src="" poster="https://www.arlington.media/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/yesterday-commemorated-gold-star-mother-and-family-day.⠀-⠀-gold-star-mothers-and-families-are-pe-1.jpg" size="large"]

Continue ReadingYesterday commemorated Gold Star Mother and Family Day.⠀ ⠀ Gold Star Mothers and Families are people that have lost loved ones — members of the military that paid the ultimate sacrifice. This day is intended to recognize and honor those mothers who have lost a son or daughter in the service of the U.S. Armed Forces.⠀ ⠀ ——⠀ ⠀ Gold Star Mothers were named after the custom of hanging a service flag near the front window in military households. The flag featured a star for each family member serving their country – living members were denoted in blue but gold stars honored family members who were killed while in duty.⠀ ⠀ Today we not only remember these service members, but we also look to those they left behind, the families, and loved ones that supported them and paid their own sacrifice.

United States Air Force Chaplain (Colonel) Martin McGuill’s (Ret.) last Arlington National Cemetery service was September 25th at 9 AM. This photo was from the first service I did with Father McGuill in 2003, he had already been at the cemetery for decades (he’d like to say since before Moses’ beard grew long). On each of the hundreds of services we were on together, I watched as he was able to connect with each family in a compassionate and meaningful way. He would often quote St. Francis of Assisi, “Preach the Gospel, when necessary, use words.” Or close a service by saying, “May your love, sore on eagles wings to touch the face of God, hallelujah, hallelujah.” And, he would tell his groaners. He touched the lives of so many families in their time of need and he touched the lives of the people that worked with him. We are all better for having spent time with him, especially in the few minutes before a service would start when he would just chat with you for a moment. I know I will miss those times. Here’s one more of his quotes, “There are a lot of tragic funerals at Arlington, but this service is different, it is a big T for triumph.” Off he goes into the wild blue yonder, Climbing high into the sun… Thank you Father McGuill! @usairforce @official_usafhonorguard @AirForceChaplainCorps

[igp-video src="" poster="https://www.arlington.media/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/united-states-air-force-chaplain-colonel-martin-mcguills-ret.-last-arlington-national-cemetery-servi.jpg" size="large"]

Continue ReadingUnited States Air Force Chaplain (Colonel) Martin McGuill’s (Ret.) last Arlington National Cemetery service was September 25th at 9 AM. This photo was from the first service I did with Father McGuill in 2003, he had already been at the cemetery for decades (he’d like to say since before Moses’ beard grew long). On each of the hundreds of services we were on together, I watched as he was able to connect with each family in a compassionate and meaningful way. He would often quote St. Francis of Assisi, “Preach the Gospel, when necessary, use words.” Or close a service by saying, “May your love, sore on eagles wings to touch the face of God, hallelujah, hallelujah.” And, he would tell his groaners. He touched the lives of so many families in their time of need and he touched the lives of the people that worked with him. We are all better for having spent time with him, especially in the few minutes before a service would start when he would just chat with you for a moment. I know I will miss those times. Here’s one more of his quotes, “There are a lot of tragic funerals at Arlington, but this service is different, it is a big T for triumph.” Off he goes into the wild blue yonder, Climbing high into the sun… Thank you Father McGuill! @usairforce @official_usafhonorguard @AirForceChaplainCorps

United States Air Force Chaplain (Colonel) Martin McGuill’s (Ret.) last Arlington National Cemetery service was September 25th at 9 AM. This photo was from the first service I did with Father McGuill in 2003, he had already been at the cemetery for decades (he’d like to say since before Moses’ beard grew long). On each of the hundreds of services we were on together, I watched as he was able to connect with each family in a compassionate and meaningful way. He would often quote St. Francis of Assisi, “Preach the Gospel, when necessary, use words.” Or close a service by saying, “May your love, sore on eagles wings to touch the face of God, hallelujah, hallelujah.” And, he would tell his groaners. He touched the lives of so many families in their time of need and he touched the lives of the people that worked with him. We are all better for having spent time with him, especially in the few minutes before a service would start when he would just chat with you for a moment. I know I will miss those times. Here’s one more of his quotes, “There are a lot of tragic funerals at Arlington, but this service is different, it is a big T for triumph.” Off he goes into the wild blue yonder, Climbing high into the sun… Thank you Father McGuill! @usairforce @official_usafhonorguard @AirForceChaplainCorps

[igp-video src="" poster="https://www.arlington.media/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/united-states-air-force-chaplain-colonel-martin-mcguills-ret.-last-arlington-national-cemetery-servi-1.jpg" size="large"]

Continue ReadingUnited States Air Force Chaplain (Colonel) Martin McGuill’s (Ret.) last Arlington National Cemetery service was September 25th at 9 AM. This photo was from the first service I did with Father McGuill in 2003, he had already been at the cemetery for decades (he’d like to say since before Moses’ beard grew long). On each of the hundreds of services we were on together, I watched as he was able to connect with each family in a compassionate and meaningful way. He would often quote St. Francis of Assisi, “Preach the Gospel, when necessary, use words.” Or close a service by saying, “May your love, sore on eagles wings to touch the face of God, hallelujah, hallelujah.” And, he would tell his groaners. He touched the lives of so many families in their time of need and he touched the lives of the people that worked with him. We are all better for having spent time with him, especially in the few minutes before a service would start when he would just chat with you for a moment. I know I will miss those times. Here’s one more of his quotes, “There are a lot of tragic funerals at Arlington, but this service is different, it is a big T for triumph.” Off he goes into the wild blue yonder, Climbing high into the sun… Thank you Father McGuill! @usairforce @official_usafhonorguard @AirForceChaplainCorps

The Washington Monument, pinkish gold in the morning sunlight can be seen here rising above Section 43 in Arlington National Cemetery.

[igp-video src="" poster="https://www.arlington.media/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/the-washington-monument-pinkish-gold-in-the-morning-sunlight-can-be-seen-here-rising-above-section-4.jpg" size="large"]

Continue ReadingThe Washington Monument, pinkish gold in the morning sunlight can be seen here rising above Section 43 in Arlington National Cemetery.

The Washington Monument, pinkish gold in the morning sunlight can be seen here rising above Section 43 in Arlington National Cemetery.

[igp-video src="" poster="https://www.arlington.media/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/the-washington-monument-pinkish-gold-in-the-morning-sunlight-can-be-seen-here-rising-above-section-4-1.jpg" size="large"]

Continue ReadingThe Washington Monument, pinkish gold in the morning sunlight can be seen here rising above Section 43 in Arlington National Cemetery.

A bugler from the U.S. Army Band, “Pershing’s Own”, plays Taps during military funeral honors for a U.S. Air Force veteran in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia. ⠀ ⠀ Of all the military bugle calls, none is so easily recognized or more apt to render emotion than the call Taps. The melody is both eloquent and haunting.⠀ ⠀ Per ANC historians, “Taps has been used by the U.S. armed forces since the civil war — at the end of the day, during flag ceremonies and at military funerals. Whenever a service member is buried with military honors anywhere in the United States, the ceremony concludes with the three-rifle volley and the sounding of Taps on a trumpet or bugle. ⠀ ⠀ Melancholy yet serene, the call lingers in memory.”

[igp-video src="" poster="https://www.arlington.media/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/a-bugler-from-the-u.s.-army-band-pershings-own-plays-taps-during-military-funeral-honors-for-a-u.s.-.jpg" size="large"]

Continue ReadingA bugler from the U.S. Army Band, “Pershing’s Own”, plays Taps during military funeral honors for a U.S. Air Force veteran in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia. ⠀ ⠀ Of all the military bugle calls, none is so easily recognized or more apt to render emotion than the call Taps. The melody is both eloquent and haunting.⠀ ⠀ Per ANC historians, “Taps has been used by the U.S. armed forces since the civil war — at the end of the day, during flag ceremonies and at military funerals. Whenever a service member is buried with military honors anywhere in the United States, the ceremony concludes with the three-rifle volley and the sounding of Taps on a trumpet or bugle. ⠀ ⠀ Melancholy yet serene, the call lingers in memory.”

A bugler from the U.S. Army Band, “Pershing’s Own”, plays Taps during military funeral honors for a U.S. Air Force veteran in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia. ⠀ ⠀ Of all the military bugle calls, none is so easily recognized or more apt to render emotion than the call Taps. The melody is both eloquent and haunting.⠀ ⠀ Per ANC historians, “Taps has been used by the U.S. armed forces since the civil war — at the end of the day, during flag ceremonies and at military funerals. Whenever a service member is buried with military honors anywhere in the United States, the ceremony concludes with the three-rifle volley and the sounding of Taps on a trumpet or bugle. ⠀ ⠀ Melancholy yet serene, the call lingers in memory.”

[igp-video src="" poster="https://www.arlington.media/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/a-bugler-from-the-u.s.-army-band-pershings-own-plays-taps-during-military-funeral-honors-for-a-u.s.-1-1.jpg" size="large"]

Continue ReadingA bugler from the U.S. Army Band, “Pershing’s Own”, plays Taps during military funeral honors for a U.S. Air Force veteran in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia. ⠀ ⠀ Of all the military bugle calls, none is so easily recognized or more apt to render emotion than the call Taps. The melody is both eloquent and haunting.⠀ ⠀ Per ANC historians, “Taps has been used by the U.S. armed forces since the civil war — at the end of the day, during flag ceremonies and at military funerals. Whenever a service member is buried with military honors anywhere in the United States, the ceremony concludes with the three-rifle volley and the sounding of Taps on a trumpet or bugle. ⠀ ⠀ Melancholy yet serene, the call lingers in memory.”

Today is also POW/MIA Recognition Day. #YouAreNotForgotten⠀ ⠀ The POW/MIA remembrance movement honors America’s prisoners of war, those who are still missing in action and their families.⠀ ⠀ Many of our service members suffered as prisoners of war during several decades of varying conflicts. While some of them made it home, tens of thousands more never did.⠀ ⠀ According to a Congressional Research Service report on POWs:⠀ – 130,201 World War II service members were imprisoned; 14,072 them died⠀ – 7,140 Korean War service members were imprisoned; 2,701 of them died⠀ – 725 Vietnam War service members were imprisoned; 64 of them died⠀ – 37 service members were imprisoned during conflicts since 1991, including both Gulf wars; none are still in captivity⠀ ⠀ According to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, 83,114 Americans who fought in those wars are still missing, including:⠀ – 73,515 from World War II (an approximate number due to limited or conflicting data)⠀ – 7,841 from the Korean War⠀ – 1,626 from Vietnam⠀ – 126 from the Cold War⠀ – 6 from conflicts since 1991⠀ ⠀ For every POW/MIA Recognition Day since 1982, the flag has flown just below the stars and stripes at the White House – the only other flag to ever do so. In 1998, Congress ordered it to also be displayed on Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day and Veterans Day.⠀ ⠀ Held during repatriations at Arlington National Cemetery, the black and white POW/MIA design reminds you of the extreme sacrifices of our POW/MIAs and America’s pact to them: That we will take care of them and, no matter how much time has passed, they will make it back home.

[igp-video src="" poster="https://www.arlington.media/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/today-is-also-powmia-recognition-day.-youarenotforgotten⠀-⠀-the-powmia-remembrance-movement-hono.jpg" size="large"]

Continue ReadingToday is also POW/MIA Recognition Day. #YouAreNotForgotten⠀ ⠀ The POW/MIA remembrance movement honors America’s prisoners of war, those who are still missing in action and their families.⠀ ⠀ Many of our service members suffered as prisoners of war during several decades of varying conflicts. While some of them made it home, tens of thousands more never did.⠀ ⠀ According to a Congressional Research Service report on POWs:⠀ – 130,201 World War II service members were imprisoned; 14,072 them died⠀ – 7,140 Korean War service members were imprisoned; 2,701 of them died⠀ – 725 Vietnam War service members were imprisoned; 64 of them died⠀ – 37 service members were imprisoned during conflicts since 1991, including both Gulf wars; none are still in captivity⠀ ⠀ According to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, 83,114 Americans who fought in those wars are still missing, including:⠀ – 73,515 from World War II (an approximate number due to limited or conflicting data)⠀ – 7,841 from the Korean War⠀ – 1,626 from Vietnam⠀ – 126 from the Cold War⠀ – 6 from conflicts since 1991⠀ ⠀ For every POW/MIA Recognition Day since 1982, the flag has flown just below the stars and stripes at the White House – the only other flag to ever do so. In 1998, Congress ordered it to also be displayed on Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day and Veterans Day.⠀ ⠀ Held during repatriations at Arlington National Cemetery, the black and white POW/MIA design reminds you of the extreme sacrifices of our POW/MIAs and America’s pact to them: That we will take care of them and, no matter how much time has passed, they will make it back home.

Today is also POW/MIA Recognition Day. #YouAreNotForgotten⠀ ⠀ The POW/MIA remembrance movement honors America’s prisoners of war, those who are still missing in action and their families.⠀ ⠀ Many of our service members suffered as prisoners of war during several decades of varying conflicts. While some of them made it home, tens of thousands more never did.⠀ ⠀ According to a Congressional Research Service report on POWs:⠀ – 130,201 World War II service members were imprisoned; 14,072 them died⠀ – 7,140 Korean War service members were imprisoned; 2,701 of them died⠀ – 725 Vietnam War service members were imprisoned; 64 of them died⠀ – 37 service members were imprisoned during conflicts since 1991, including both Gulf wars; none are still in captivity⠀ ⠀ According to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, 83,114 Americans who fought in those wars are still missing, including:⠀ – 73,515 from World War II (an approximate number due to limited or conflicting data)⠀ – 7,841 from the Korean War⠀ – 1,626 from Vietnam⠀ – 126 from the Cold War⠀ – 6 from conflicts since 1991⠀ ⠀ For every POW/MIA Recognition Day since 1982, the flag has flown just below the stars and stripes at the White House – the only other flag to ever do so. In 1998, Congress ordered it to also be displayed on Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day and Veterans Day.⠀ ⠀ Held during repatriations at Arlington National Cemetery, the black and white POW/MIA design reminds you of the extreme sacrifices of our POW/MIAs and America’s pact to them: That we will take care of them and, no matter how much time has passed, they will make it back home.

[igp-video src="" poster="https://www.arlington.media/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/today-is-also-powmia-recognition-day.-youarenotforgotten⠀-⠀-the-powmia-remembrance-movement-hono-1.jpg" size="large"]

Continue ReadingToday is also POW/MIA Recognition Day. #YouAreNotForgotten⠀ ⠀ The POW/MIA remembrance movement honors America’s prisoners of war, those who are still missing in action and their families.⠀ ⠀ Many of our service members suffered as prisoners of war during several decades of varying conflicts. While some of them made it home, tens of thousands more never did.⠀ ⠀ According to a Congressional Research Service report on POWs:⠀ – 130,201 World War II service members were imprisoned; 14,072 them died⠀ – 7,140 Korean War service members were imprisoned; 2,701 of them died⠀ – 725 Vietnam War service members were imprisoned; 64 of them died⠀ – 37 service members were imprisoned during conflicts since 1991, including both Gulf wars; none are still in captivity⠀ ⠀ According to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, 83,114 Americans who fought in those wars are still missing, including:⠀ – 73,515 from World War II (an approximate number due to limited or conflicting data)⠀ – 7,841 from the Korean War⠀ – 1,626 from Vietnam⠀ – 126 from the Cold War⠀ – 6 from conflicts since 1991⠀ ⠀ For every POW/MIA Recognition Day since 1982, the flag has flown just below the stars and stripes at the White House – the only other flag to ever do so. In 1998, Congress ordered it to also be displayed on Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day and Veterans Day.⠀ ⠀ Held during repatriations at Arlington National Cemetery, the black and white POW/MIA design reminds you of the extreme sacrifices of our POW/MIAs and America’s pact to them: That we will take care of them and, no matter how much time has passed, they will make it back home.