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• Wednesday, May 14, 2025

  Commander’s Memorial Day Message

  Our Heroes Are Sons and Daughters, Too

  

  By  Keith J. Koster
  Department of New York Commander

  Originally May 30th was Decoration Day and Congress changed the recognition to the last Monday of May and renamed this day to “Memorial Day”. American Legion Posts across New York will be holding recognition events, marching in parades, and preforming ceremonies. We take this obligation serious to remembering our fallen heroes and comrades. It is our solemn obligation to teach and educate our communities & youth that Memorial day is not a Day of Celebration. It is a day we honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to keep us free. We also remember the Gold Star families and share in their grief. Many of us remember a family member or friend who has gone on to join Post everlasting. It is our duty as Legionnaires to honor those who have gone before us. We understand the sacrifices of those who went before us through the Chaple of the Four Chaplains, the memorials in our hometowns and hamlets.

  This year I will be remembering and honoring two New Yorker’s and their families we had the privilege to meet in our travels. These two individuals are both Medal of Honor recipients — Micheal P. Murphy & Jason Dunham.  Micheal Murphy was from Long Island and a United States Navy Seal. Micheal was killed June 28, 2005, in Kunar Province, Afghanistan during Operation Red Wings. Jason Dunham was a corporal in the United States Marine Corps from Scio, NY in Allegany County. He served with 3rd Battalion 7th Marines during the Iraq War. Durham used his helmet & body to cover a live grenade to save his fellow Marines. Dunham died eight days later on April 22,2004.

  To us as Americans and Veterans these individual men are both heroes but to their parents, they were their sons. When we remember our fallen this Memorial Day, let us remember them as heroes but also sons and daughters that have paid the ultimate price for our freedom. While there may be no words we can offer the families, let our actions on Memorial show our respect for those we have lost.

  Thank you for all you do to recognize our fallen heroes. God Bless you, God Bless America and may God watch over our Gold Star Families.