Latest news with #VeteransDay
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Thousands sign petition to cancel Trump's birthday parade: Here's why
President Donald Trump is planning to host a multimillion-dollar parade through Washington DC to commemorate the US Army's 250th anniversary next month. Coincidentally, the occasion also falls on the President's 79th birthday; a connection that has urged many people to get together and sign a petition for canceling the festivities. An account called 'Left Action' created a petition titled 'Cancel Trump's birthday parade NOW' on Care2 Petitions and has received 23,000 supporters for its cause out of the current target of reaching 25,000 signatories. The statement published on the official website reads, 'America's armed forces are there to defend our nation -- not act as play toys for a wannabe dictator. But Trump is forcing thousands of them to march through DC on his birthday, along with tanks, planes, and God only knows what else, in order to satisfy Trump and his massive ego. This will cost a fortune, at a time when the GOP is gutting critical programs, and it is a horrible idea. Trump must cancel it NOW. And if he won't, Congress should defund it. Add your name, and demand Trump's parade not go forward.' The White House had previously confirmed Trump's plans to hold a military parade in Washington on June 14 which the President called a way to honor those who have 'fought, bled, and died to keep us free' with a parade 'that is worthy of their service and sacrifice' on Truth Social. Millions of dollars, thousands of soldiers, and hundreds of workers are being employed to help put the event together. Many critics of the decision have blasted the President for the high running costs of the event, citing the event as a personal vanity project for him to commemorate his birthday in a way. A Veterans Day military parade was being planned in 2018 under Trump's first term in office but was ultimately canceled due to budgeting issues.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Soldiers' sacrifices remembered at Memorial Day observation
Lee County Sheriff Brian Estes says he often has to explain to people the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Estes was one of the speakers at Monday's Memorial Day ceremony in Broadway. The ceremony was moved inside to American Legion Post 347 because of rain, but that didn't dampen the crowd. More than 100 packed the Legion to remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. 'Over the years, I've had to explain the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day to people,' Estes said. 'This is the easiest way I can think of to explain it — I want all of the veterans in the audience to stand up. I want to give them a round of applause. So on veterans day and every day, we can celebrate them for being here. On Memorial Day, we would celebrate the same people that just stood up if one thing would have changed in their lives. If they would have turned a different way or they would have driven a car in a different direction or if someone had taken a different shot, they wouldn't be here today. To me, that's the easiest way to explain it to people. The difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day is that we would have been celebrating with these heroes if one thing would have been different.' The ceremony began with the crowd reciting the Pledge of Allegiance before joining Cindy Buchanan in singing the National Anthem. Pastor Eddie Thomas of Juniper Spring Baptist Church then gave the invocation. After Estes spoke, Broadway Mayor Donald Andrews welcomed the crowd and shared a few thoughts, including welcoming the members of Trail Life USA, Troop NC-2717, and American Heritage Girls, Trop NC-1715, who would have presented the colors had the ceremony occurred outdoors. 'I saw them out there yesterday practicing, making sure everything was ready to go,' Andrews said. 'I hate that Mother Nature was a little uncooperative.' Andrews noted that for many, Memorial Day is a three-day weekend to kick off the summer, but for others, it's much more. 'It's a day set aside to remember veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice ensuring our freedom,' he said. Andrews said that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War. 'Vietnam veterans are special to me,' he said. 'As many of you know, my dad served in Vietnam. The Vietnam War divided our country. Nonetheless, the men and women who volunteered — or were drafted — carried out orders that our country asked of them. They did not come home to ticker tape parades or celebrations. It's only been in the last 20 years or so that we tried to correct that oversight.' Andrews said, of the more than 58,000 troops killed in Vietnam, 1,600 were from North Carolina and 14 from Lee County. He also shared a list of their names. 'These brave men and women we honor today, some whose names are listed on the memorial wall down the street, answered the call from their country and defended the freedoms and liberties that we are enjoying today. They come from farms, small towns and large cities. Their diversity spans all demographics. When asked to defend this nation, they stood strong in the face of tyranny. I would ask that if you gather later with family and friends, please take a moment to remember them and the 1,354,000 Americans who died defending this country. They made the ultimate sacrifice.' Charles Parks was the final speaker. He served in the Marine Corps. Parks gave a brief history of Memorial Day, which was known as Decoration Day. 'On May 26, 1966, President Lyndon Johnson signed a proclamation that recognized the tradition of preserving the tradition of what had begun 100 years before,' Parks said. 'Most of you here today recognize the importance of this day to remember the sacrifices that have been made to keep our nation free.' Parks said he has concerns that as older veterans and citizens become complacent, young people do not realize the sacrifices that have been made. 'We are slowly losing factual history,' he said. 'I find that a lot of young people disrespect our flag and those who have served. We are not teaching them to love and respect our nation. They are not being taught that history — real history.' Parks then shared the story of a book that included the story of one of his wife's uncles, who was killed in World War II. 'My wife and her sisters, who were born after he was killed, knew nothing but a picture and a name until two years ago, when we found a book that had almost a total history of his life in the service. After his sister passed, we found this book — for uncle John Burleson.' The book contained information about his service as a medic. 'If they had not made the effort, we would not know anything about his service,' Parks said, noting that Burleson landed on Omaha Beach a month after D-Day and worked to take care of the wounded until he was killed in France. Parks concluded by telling the crowd that they need to pass down their stories to preserve the history for future generations. 'There is no reason not to have recorded history,' he said. 'We have multiple avenues to record your history.'
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Western NC community honors Memorial Day, hurricane recovery progress
LAKE LURE, N.C. (WSPA) – More than a hundred people gathered for the annual Memorial Day celebration in the town of Lake Lure Monday. It was both a time to honor those who serve, and the milestones the community has reached post Helene. Dozens of people packed into Roosevelt Hall at The 1927 Lake Lure Inn and Spa for the Memorial Day program. The theme this year was to remember and honor all who've served. Songs and poems flooded Roosevelt Hall for nearly an hour. Those inside the hall paid homage to the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice as well as their families. 'I think this is a wonderful event for honoring the soldiers who gave their lives, and being here is important, I think, for everyone really,' said Polly Hughes, a visitor to the program. Polly Hughes and her husband Ted told 7NEWS both of their fathers were veterans and they were there to pay their respects. 'My father was career military. He was in the special forces. He was in World War II [and] Korea. He was shot in Korea, and almost died,' Ted said. Colonel Brad Morgan of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers served as this year's ceremonial guest speaker. 'Personally, it's pretty substantial. You kind of think through, for myself, 25 years of service thus far,' said Morgan. 'I've lost some friends, I've lost some soldiers. It means a lot to have that ability to speak on their behalf because they've lost their voice.' Mayor of Lake Lure Carol Pritchett said the Memorial Day event not only unified the local community, but showcased the town's resilience and recovery eight months after Helene. 'They keep this dedication and this feeling about this celebration even in the depths of the disaster. So, very important for us to all come together and rejoice,' said Pritchett. It's a showing of support those who attended the event said is critical for the town of 1,400 people. 'Proud to play a small role in helping them recover,' Morgan also said. 'Obviously a lot of my mission here is to get the debris going. Help them restore, and really recreate a sense of normalcy here.' Mayor Pritchett added Memorial Day and Veterans Day are two of the most important holidays of the year for Lake Lure, which she said is a highly patriotic community. She's hopeful the venue will see more visitors in the years ahead. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Photo gallery: Utahns pay tribute to those who served, their families, the military
The Utah Department of Veterans and Military Affairs hosted a special Memorial Day ceremony Monday at the Capitol, one of many across the state and around the nation. Sen. John Curtis and Utah Attorney General Derek Brown spoke to the assembled crowd. The event included a 21-gun salute as well as a wreath and flag display. Later, Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson told a crowd of service members and their families at a Memorial Day service at Larkin Sunset Gardens cemetery Monday, that while Utahns pay respect to loved ones, they should never forget the sacrifices made by so many in the name of freedom. 'I hope that we can all remember this is more than a holiday. This is a holy day. This is a day of remembrance,' she said. 'It's a day of deep gratitude and reflection. It's also a day of celebration because what we have been given is so dear it must be remembered and it must be celebrated.' Deseret News photojournalists captured the poignant moments of Monday's Veterans Day celebrations.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Ceremony honors fallen military veterans
ELKHART — A Memorial Day ceremony at Rice Cemetery on Monday honored the lives of military members who made the ultimate sacrifice. 'The freedoms that we currently enjoy sometimes are forgotten,' Mayor Rod Roberson said. 'Sometimes they are treated as insignificant, but it isn't.' Roberson noted the importance of the holiday to honor the service members who have come before. The difference between Veterans Day and Memorial Day is that Veteran's Day celebrates all veterans, Roberson said. City Councilman Aaron Mishler said the day is significant for him and many Americans. His father, who died in 2016, was a Vietnam War veteran and part of him never left the war, Mishler said. Mishler's middle name comes from his father's best friend who died in Vietnam. 'The sacrifices of our veterans is something that carries on with me for my entire life,' Mishler said. 'Memorial Day is a special and sacred holiday.' Mishler previously served as a medic in the Indiana Army National Guard and a nurse in the Army reserves. City Councilman Dwight Fish said he has seen the Memorial Day ceremony now from different perspectives as a council member and as the husband of a 28-year Army veteran. 'She has seen a lot in her career,' Fish said of his wife. 'But a lot of our friends are not around anymore. Our parents, some of her fellow soldiers, are down range, and they are no longer with us because of war and the elements around war, and now we have to honor their memory and the service that they gave us.' The mayor also noted the absence of former Mayor Dick Moore, who served in the Navy. Moore died just a few weeks ago. A parade was scheduled to followed the ceremony. The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 88 also planned a late morning ceremony at Prairie Street Cemetery followed by a luncheon at the post.
