Reading of the Names – volunteers needed to read the names of fallen OIF OEF Vets on Memorial Day
First, some background from Washington Post:
The first name that will be read at the ceremony during Memorial Day weekend is that of Evander Earl Andrews.
A small-town boy, he had left his parents home in central Maine, joined the Air Force, and on Oct. 10, 2001, became the first military person reported killed in the post 9/11 wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
His mother, Mary, 71, said Friday that she never thought his death would be followed by 6,700 more.
On May 24, Andrews’s name and the names of the others killed in the recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan will be read aloud chronologically for the first time in a tribute at the Vietnam Wall, according to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund.
The ceremony will open at 9 a.m. on the east knoll of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and the reading will run from about 10 a.m. to about 5:40 p.m., the fund said.
Now, I’ve been aware of this for a while, but the link to volunteer wasn’t activated yet. It actually went live yesterday, but I was buried in a mountain of stuff. A very close personal friend of mine is spearheading this, and what they want is people who served with fallen members, or family members, to read the names. Each person will get a list of 15.
I had hoped I would be able to volunteer to read the names of the guys who I served with who lost their life in Afghanistan, but unfortunately it looks like I am headed to Plymouth, MA that weekend for work. Which will ne nice, since I have friends there, but I still wish I could be at the Wall for the reading.
The American Legion, along with other Veterans Service Organizations is a sponsor of this, along with politicians like John Boehner and Harry Reid, and (somewhat oddly) musician/Parrothead Chief Jimmy Buffet.
“The Global War on Terrorism is a lengthy battle for the free world. Whether America’s fallen heroes made the Supreme Sacrifice in Baghdad, Bagram or any place in between, The American Legion will never forget the price paid by these brave men and women. Freedom isn’t free and it is only possible because individuals are willing to sacrifice all in the prime of their lives. May their names be forever remembered.” Daniel M. Dellinger, National Commander of The American Legion.
If you want to volunteer to read the name of someone you knew, or just volunteer to read any of the names, you can do so BY CLICKING HERE.
For the first time on the National Mall, we will read the names of each and every American servicemember who has made the ultimate sacrifice since the attack on Sept. 11, 2001. Americans from across the nation will join together to read the names of these heroes in the order they were taken from us.
Join us for this monumental event, as a reader or as a spectator, in honor of their sacrifice.
This seems like something our people would leap to do, especially if you know one of the fallen. So go ahead and volunteer if you can make it to DC.
Category: Politics
Registered. I didn’t serve with these guys, but we were in the same division. Thanks for posting this, TSO. Hopefully, I’ll get it.
Thanks Nicki.
Always makes me think back to that day I covered the homecoming for HHC, and then for you guys a bit later. *hug*
I believe that was the first time you got in a car with me.
Wish I could be there for that.
TSO, let me know if you need someone to buy you a drink in Plymouth.
Would love to attend. Will be rucking 12 hours with some other 3-116 guys from the Manassas Battlefield to Arlington, but we’ll be passing by there in the afternoon. Will definitely stop to pay our respects!
A battle buddy of mine told me about this and asked if I’d be able to make it to DC to read off my little brothers name and others. Told him I would not be able to make it to DC this year to be able to do so. He asked if I minded if he volunteered to do so, to which I told him that I did not mind. Hope that others will be able to honor our fallen brethren.
TSO thank you brother for the link. I wish so much I were where I could volunteer, just as a veteran. But sadly I am not. Thank you anyway for the link. God bless those who served in these campaigns and God Bless the families of those we lost.
Signed up. Hopefully, I’ll get the name that I requested, SFC Kevin Dupont. Ironically, TSO, you’ll be closer to Kevin on Memorial Day than I will. He’s buried at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne.
Bobo,
Thank you.
Madison Rising will be performing at the American Legion Post in Fairfax VA the evening of May 24, sponsored by CVA. Dinner will be served. Free food and music. Stop by if you are in the area.
http://www.madisonrising.com/tourdates.php
http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07e919pi9z1f3da7b0&llr=bkmefwcab
Oh, I LOVE those guys!!!
I’ve watched their videos, but never saw them in person. Fitting for Memorial Day weekend.
There are about 30 names I could read, so I think I may get a shot at it. This would be an honor.
Thank you for sharing! Applied.
By the way, 10 years ago yesterday, a friend of mine was mortally wounded by an enemy grenade. I am going to pass this on to his family, as well.
RIP Dunham.