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** Each of the patriots whom we remember on this day was first a beloved son or daughter, a brother or sister, or a spouse, friend, and neighbor.
- George H.W. Bush, 1992
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** Memorial Day, originally known as Decoration Day, originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. It is a day to honor and remember those who men and women who have died while serving for the United State military. There are countless stories from families and soldiers sharing their experiences and today I'd like to share a special story during my time as a Casualty Escort.
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** It's a free Country! This and every Memorial Day, we should individually and collectively reflect on the profound meaning of that colloquial phrase and pause to thank God, our Founding Fathers, and the many Patriots who dedicated their lives, and even lost their lives, over our nation’s history for the cause of your freedom and mine.
For me, that’s an easy thing to appreciate after 23 years & 8 months as an Active-Duty United States Marine who fought in multiple wars across the globe. I’ve personally seen the extreme cost of our freedom, most memorably in the eyes of the three different families I had to meet when I delivered home the remains of their own beloved Marines and family members who had been killed in action in Iraq.
Again, I got the call to escort duty, but this time was different than the first two. This one was much more difficult for several reasons. Lance Corporal Grant B. Fraser ([link removed]) was a Marine Reservist assigned to Marine Forces Reserve’s 4th Reconnaissance Battalion, 4th Marine Division, Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. My escort mission was for “Subsequent Remains” this time, which meant that Grant’s remains had already been escorted home by another Marine, but then the forensic team at Quantico had identified several additional small pieces of human remains from the inside of the destroyed vehicle to be Grant’s by DNA match. This was more personal because I had to carry a wooden box with a brass handle through multiple airports and with me in the cabin of the plane. The toughest part came at the Seattle Airport. I had been told at the Dover Mortuary that Grant’s reserve unit was coming home from Iraq the same day I was
escorting Grant’s remains home and that there was a chance I might be on the same aircraft with them out of Seattle. I dreaded that because I didn’t know what to say to his friends if they saw me carrying what was left of him. As fate would have it, I was sitting there at the Seattle gate and saw Marines in camouflage uniforms coming down the hall. I prayed they would keep walking past my gate, but they came straight towards me. The first Marine to speak to me was a Captain and he asked me to be patient and tolerant if his young Marines returning from combat didn’t show me the proper respect a Master Sergeant would usually get as they were now riding home with the remains of their friend. Surprisingly, several of the Marines came over and asked me if the box contained Grant’s remains, and when I said yes, they very respectfully thanked me for what I was doing. I was humbled by the character of these young heroes.
When we arrived in Anchorage, I was let off the plane first with Grant’s remains as is the customary practice by the airlines for fallen military members. Right behind me were all Grants fellow Marines coming home from combat. As we walked up the jetway, we started to hear cheers and applause from the crowd of Alaskan family members there to meet their returning loved ones. But, as I exited the jetway first in my Dress Blues and carrying that box, the entire crowd fell silent. They all at once realized what I was carrying. I stood there for what seemed like a long time looking at several hundred people not knowing who I should transfer Grant’s remains to, when a woman stepped out from the crowd with a local Marine Corps Casualty Officer, and the Governor of Alaska at the time, Frank Murkowski. She told me she was Grant’s Mom and thanked me for bringing the rest of him home. She then turned to the crowd and told them to celebrate the return of the other Marines.
I learned a lesson about Americans during that trip. It doesn’t matter where we are from, what our religion is, how much money we have, what political party we affiliate with, or what heritage we come from. When it comes to honoring those who have given their life in defense of our freedoms, we are united.
There are so many Americans who have given so much for the freedoms we enjoy, and on this Memorial Day, let’s purpose in our hearts to earn their sacrifice by the way we continue to defend our country, our citizens, our way of life, and our Constitutional freedoms. God Bless the USA!!!
Please read the entire memoir written by Tim Dalhouse, by clicking HERE ([link removed])
Here are some of the way you can celebrate with your community and honor those this Memorial Day weekend.
72nd Mayor's Memorial Day Ceremony - Pūowaina (Punchbowl) O'ahu
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Memorial Day Parade - Forst DeRussey, O'ahu
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Memorial Day Services - East Hawaiʻi & West Hawaiʻi Veterans Cemetary, Hawaiʻi Island
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** Shower of Flowers at the Makawao Veterans Cemetery- Makawao, Maui
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Maui holds one of the most significant Memorial Day ceremonies in the state. The program features Blue Hawaiian Helicopters drop 10,000 rose petals over the veterans’ graves at Makawao Veterans Cemetery. A spectacular tribute called Shower of Flowers is organized by the Maui County Veterans Council. The memorial service starts at 8:30 a.m. on Monday by the Vietnam War Monument and at the Makawao Veterans Cemetery. The program includes marching bands, firefighters, reading of the names, and dove release as a sign of peace.
Memorial Day Observance - Kauaʻi Veterans Cemetary, Hanapēpē Kauaʻi
Kauaʻi will honor its veterans at the annual Memorial Day Observance to be held Monday at Kaua‘i Veterans Cemetery in Hanapēpē. The Memorial Day Observance will include members of the Pacific Missile Range Facility at Barking Sands, and the Waimea High School JROTC, which will post and retire the colors. The service begins at 10 a.m.
Special message from RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel
Dear Members,
At this time, we ask that you join the RNC family in prayers for Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands as they recover from Super Typhoon Mawar. We pray for the safety of our Members, their families, friends, and neighbors, and offer our support during this difficult time.
Aloha & Blessings,
Tim Dalhouse
State Chairman
Hawai'i Republican Party
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