Regardless of the war, the campaign, the conflict, the battle, the mission, you name it, they answered the call and fulfilled their duty so that we, that remain on the good Lord's Earth, can enjoy and savor and delight in the freedoms, the liberties and all the life that is worth living, that goes right along with it. But that comes with a colossal endless and timeless debt and obligation for, we must honor their sacrifice and do right by others.
-Scott Luton
Episode Summary
On this special episode of Veteran Voices, brought to you in proud partnership with Vets2Industry, Scott and Kelly reflect on the powerful history of Memorial Day and the many heroes we honor on this special day. Tune in to learn more about the history of the holiday and hear the remarkable stories of some of the extraordinary countrymen and women that we’ve lost.
Episode Transcript
Scott Luton (00:08):
Good morning, Scott Luton with you here on a special episode of veteran voices, which is being published on the supply chain. Now main channel, thanks for joining us today is Memorial day here in the United States, a somber holiday, where we honor all of those individuals that made the ultimate sacrifice, giving their lives in service to our country. As the biblical proverb goes, there’s no greater love than one who lays down his life for his friends. On today’s episode, we’re going to be sharing a bit of history related to Memorial day and share a few stories that just might inspire you as we honor, those that have truly shown the greatest love of all two quick programming notes for you get started here. First, you can find veteran voices anywhere you get your podcast from. And second, our show is conducted in a partnership with our friends at vets to industry. You can learn a lot more about this powerful nonprofit that is serving so many folks and so many veterans@vetstoindustry.org.
Scott Luton (01:16):
No offense to our friends in the gift card industry, but no holidays can really lose their luster and meaning these days as we go from sale to sale commercial to commercial mean to mean all to participate in this holiday or that holiday. And, you know, don’t get me wrong. That’s all a wonderful part of this collective journey that we’re all on. And my dear wife, Amanda has truly taught me to stop and smell the roses, so to speak and be intentional and deliberate as we celebrate all the holidays in our life and in our children’s lives. But Memorial day here in the United States truly stands out and is so indelibly unique. It’s not veterans day, which focuses on thanking our veterans that have served in the military and celebrating that service. And it’s not a jut holiday as I don’t find myself wishing others to have a happy Memorial day to me.
Scott Luton (02:15):
And it’s just one person’s opinion that doesn’t strike the right tone. But to begin to understand this annual holiday, one must really go back and trace its roots a bit. The us civil war, which ended in 1865, claimed so many lives. That for the first time in this young country’s history, national cemeteries had to be created a few years after this dreadful chapter in our nation’s history Americans throughout the country began to hold tributes in the spring each year, primarily to pay respect to the hundreds of thousands of individuals that lost it all in service to the country. There are various claims as to specifically where moral day began or as it was initially called decoration day on May 30th, 1868, the first wildly observed decoration day. Then Ohio Congressman James, a Garfield would travel to Arlington national cemetery in Washington, DC already the site of some 20,000 graves in 1868, about 5,000 attendees came out to decorate the burial grounds and they would hear the future.
Scott Luton (03:30):
Us president say, quote, we do not know one promise. These men made one pledge. They gave one word they spoke, but we do know they summed up and perfected by one Supreme act, the highest virtues of men in citizens for love of country. They accepted death and thus resolved all doubts and made IOR their patriotism and their virtue. New York was the first state in 1873 to designate Memorial day as a legal holiday. And in 1966, the us federal government officially declared that Waterloo New York be deemed the birthplace of Memorial day for decades from the start Memorial day was observed on May 30th. However, in 1968, the us Congress passed a law which would make Memorial day to be the last Monday in may to ensure federal employees received a three day weekend. That law went into effect in 1971, and it also made the day a federal holiday.
Scott Luton (04:41):
There are tons of traditions, some very common and some very unique across the country that take place on Memorial day weekend. Two of our families, favorite traditions I’ll share with you. One is taking in a parade in a small town of tequila, Georgia, which has become known across the Southeast for its parade. Now in its 27th year, each year. One of the most compelling aspects of the parade in tequi is where they have scores of volunteers March with a picture of a loved one that has been lost in service to our country. And the second tradition that is a favorite of ours is the national Memorial day concert, which has been conducted for about three decades. And it aired on PBS last night. It’s a perfect blend of appropriate music and stories, including families of those brave souls that we’ve lost through countless battles, wars, campaigns, and conflicts, the replay will be available and I’ll include more info on the show notes for this episode.
Scott Luton (05:48):
It is to that end, that I’d like to share a few stories that I’ve gathered stories that share just a bit of insight into a few of the extraordinary countrymen and women that we’ve lost. First, I’ll start with Sergeant first class IWE cash who had deployed to Iraq about 16 years ago, a roadside bomb struck his Bradley fighting vehicle just after midnight. In particular, it penetrated the fuel cell of the vehicle spraying burning fuel across occupants. But despite the fact that flames had burned nearly three quarters of his own body, Sergeant cash worked tirelessly to free his trapped soldiers and in Iraqi interpreter from the vehicle. And he did so while under a barrage of gunfire from the enemy, Sergeant cash would eventually be evacuated to a hospital in Texas to treat his extensive wounds. When his sister Castel cash white visited him, the first thing he said was how are my boys tell them to fight?
Scott Luton (06:52):
They can get through this despite a strong fight and indomitable spirit Sergeant first class I one cash would pass away on November 8th, 2005, as a result of his injuries amongst those, he left behind were three grown children, including one that is following in his father’s footsteps. Private first class, Andrew Cash graduated from infantry training. Last summer. Sergeant first class Awan cash is expected to receive the nation’s highest honor. Soon as he is expected to receive the congressional medal of honor, due to his heroic selfless actions. If that does indeed happen, he’ll become the first African American recipient of the medal of honor for actions in Iraq or Afghanistan on February 3rd, 1943, the USS Dorchester was transporting hundreds of American soldiers across the north Atlantic. Most of the men were young and on their first mission, not far removed from basic training, a German submarine hit the Dorchester with torpedoes and the transport ship began to sink.
Scott Luton (08:03):
This took place in the middle of the night and amid all the dark chaos. All the passengers were frantically searching for life jackets in a way out of the sinking ship on board. The USS Doorchester were four chaplains all from different walks of life, but all very clear on what their mission would be. That frightful evening, the four chaplains calmed the troops and led them to evacuation points. And according to witness accounts published later, they steadfastly preached courage throughout their efforts, doing their best to provide aid and comfort. Sadly, the sinking ship did not have enough life jackets for all souls aboard. So in one final ultimate act of remarkable service and sacrifice, each of the four chaplains removed the life jacket they each were wearing and gave them to soldiers in need more than 600 men died that cold evening, including all four chaplains that laid down their lives so that others could live.
Scott Luton (09:08):
They were father John Washington from Newark, New Jersey, Reverend Clark polling from Columbus, Ohio, rabbi Alexander, good from Brooklyn, New York and Reverend George Fox from Lewistown Pennsylvania, a survivor who had witnessed the chaplains inaction later said, quote, it was the finest thing I have seen or hope to see this side of heaven. Army specialist, Nicole Fry was from the small town of Lena, Wisconsin. She loved to cook and she named her cat Angelica because Nicole just adored angels specialist fry was also engaged to be married. She had been deployed to Iraq for only two weeks. Went on February 16th, 2004. Her convoy was hit by roadside bomb, army specialist. Nicole Fry would sadly pass away at the young age of 19 years old. Wow. 19 years old, her favorite hymn, amazing grace will be played by her high school band at her funeral. And as the third stands of that beloved old song goes, my chains are gone.
Scott Luton (10:22):
I’ve been set free. My God, my savior has ransom to me. All of our losses don’t come in combat. Sometimes the struggles follow our military men and women home. When I reentered the United States air force in September, 2001 individual took tons of time out of his schedule to show me around and make sure I had what I needed. Jeremy Cross was quite the unique individual. He had a passion and enthusiasm for life and for serving in the air force. And goodness, did he have some stories to tell legendary stories? In fact, a lot of us, including myself, well, we we’d pick on Jeremy for his hard to believe stories. He could have written a best selling book of tall tales. For sure. It was one of the best aspects of his sense of humor, whether he knew that or not, but above it all Jeremy Cross would give you the shirt off his back to help you, even if he didn’t exactly know how I came across a story recently where a fellow airman that worked with Jeremy was struggling to pass the physical fitness test and that could get you kicked outta the service.
Scott Luton (11:33):
For sure. He says that Jeremy mentored and coached him and even worked out with him for two months, five days a week, every single afternoon, I can recall Jeremy volunteering with airmen against drunk driving to pick up our fellow airmen on weekend nights after they had had a few too many adult beverages, he was always, I mean, just always gain for volunteering his time and energy and knowhow after serving in Iraq. And we’re turning to his home station in Texas tech Sergeant Jeremy Cross would depart this life on January 28th, 2016, 36 years, young living behind a young son that I hope surely knows how kind and considerate of a man his father was. As I share some of these personal anecdotes here, I instantly think of the rose and rows of grave markers at Arlington national cemetery, which I visited for the first time, a few years back, each one of those thousands and thousands of markers has a story to tell each one represents a family grieving.
Scott Luton (12:45):
Each one represents coworkers, friends, sons, daughters, neighbors, all that have dealt or continued to deal with this enormous sense of loss and grief, permanent loss. And for what well, I would say for us, regardless of the war, the campaign, the conflict, the battle, the mission, you name it, they answered the call and fulfilled their duty so that we, that remain on the good Lord’s earth can enjoy and savor and delight in the freedoms, the liberties and all the life that is worth living, that goes right along with it. But that comes with a colossal endless and timeless debt and obligation for, we must honor their sacrifice and do right by others. We must strive to ensure that all people, all people are free and are provided opportunity as Martin Luther king Jr stated in his iconic letter from the Birmingham jail, he said, quote, injustice anywhere is a threat to justice.
Scott Luton (13:55):
Everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny, whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly in our mutual obligation is to help serve, give lead change and do deeds, not words, it’s a tremendous burden, but just one. And it’s the very least that we all can do. It’s our ultimate charge in our calling. And I hope that you’ll join me in answering that call in a meaningful action based way in Sofar, as you define it, the only way that these lives are lost in vain is if we elect not to act, protect and improve the country that they served and died for on that note, I wanna invite you to take a listen to my dear friend, Kelly Barner and her message on this Memorial day 2021.
Kelly Barner (15:03):
My name is Kelly Barner. I’m the owner and managing director of buyers meeting point and the co-host of dial P for procurement here on supply chain. Now Memorial day holds a very special place in my heart and it always has. My grandfather was a salvage diver during world war II stationed in France. He would go down into ships after they sank to recover what they could and I’ll leave the detail at that. His grave in Braintree, Massachusetts is marked with an American flag this weekend and every Memorial day and the flowers we place on his and my grandmother’s grave become so sacred just by occupying that place that we drive an hour back and an hour home to retrieve them. After Memorial day, every year, I also had a very profound experience when I was growing up on a sixth grade class field trip to Washington DC.
Kelly Barner (16:02):
I was one of four kids from my school selected to lay a wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier. I knew I was lucky even then, but when I think back, I can hardly believe I had that opportunity while the rest of my classmates toward Arlington national cemetery. I drilled with sentinels from the third us infantry regimen known as the old guard, under gray skies and in a light rain, which felt so right, given the circumstances we participated in the formal wreath, laying ceremony with hundreds of our classmates, looking on the honor and emotion of that experience have never left me. All I can say is God love every family that sent someone off to war or into active service. I would go on to be a member of my high school band marching in the annual Memorial day parade in town. And to this day, I can’t hear taps played without getting chills today.
Kelly Barner (17:07):
However, my Memorial day task is different. I’m raising my three children to respect and honor the military service of those we know, and those we will never meet the job of keeping the memories of the fallen alive will never be done. Memorial day may be the unofficial start to summer, but there has to be a place in it set aside for reverence and respect. I’ll certainly be enjoying the smell of the smoker in the backyard, hopefully with a cold sangria. In my hand, listening to Lee Greenwood and the Zack brown band celebrate America. It sounds trite, but the freedoms we enjoy are definitely not free. As a procurement professional. I can tell you they were extremely expensive and they were paid for dearly by those who were lost and the loved ones that they left behind. We typically wish each other a happy Memorial day. But this year I would like to wish you a Memorial day, take time to remember hold their memories in your heart, teach your kids how much they owe to countless people. They will never meet and live a life worthy of the sacrifice they made for all of us
Scott Luton (18:32):
On behalf of our entire team here at veteran voices and supply chain. Now this is Scott Luton wishing all of our listeners, nothing but the best. Hey, do good give forward and be the change that’s needed. And on that note, we’ll see, next time. Thanks everybody.
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