What the "Long Weekend" Really Means
Let us just say this: This "long weekend" represents the long, bloody path to freedom sacrificially given by every fallen hero. Never forget that. God bless all families missing loved ones who gave all. To mourning families and comrades, you have our heartfelt appreciation, sympathy, and respect.
Indeed, Memorial Day weekend is not about having a long weekend. It’s about honoring and remembering our heroes who died in the name of freedom. Throughout our nation’s history so many men and women have given their lives so that others may live in freedom, peace, and safety.
When pausing to think, the meaning of Memorial Day leaves us speechless. It's so powerful no one can fully grasp what Memorial Day really means. We enjoy freedom because they shed their blood for us. It then further impassions us to continue our mission to honor our heroes, share God's love and truth, and never forget the meaning of freedom.When we share on national media to help veterans and their families, we always try to share the powerful quote from John 15:13 which says, "Greater love has no one thanthis, that someone lay down his life for his friends."
And that is a fact.
Recently, a deeply stirring story of a fallen hero came to our attention: Recently we learned more details about a WWI hero named Martin Treptow. This young man worked quietly as a barber in Cherokee, Iowa.
We grew up in the beautiful small of Cherokee, Iowa. And we have found this connection especially heart-stirring: In 1917, while living in our hometown, he enlisted in the U.S. Army to help protect others and defend freedom. Treptow’s regiment arrived in France in December of that year, and he wrote a pledge in his diary as a New Year's resolution for 1918. President Ronald Reagan, in his first inaugural address,spoke of Private Treptow's fate:
“Under a marker lies a young man, Martin Treptow, who left his job in a small town barbershop in 1917 to go to France with the famed Rainbow Division. There, on the western front, he was killed trying to carry a message between battalions under heavy artillery fire.
We're told that on his body was found a diary. On the flyleaf under the heading "My Pledge," he had written these words: "America must win this war. Therefore I will work, I will save, I will sacrifice, I will endure, I will fight cheerfully and do my utmost, as if the issue of the whole struggledepended on me alone."
Martin Treptow’s words became known as “Treptow’s Pledge” and this pledge has been quoted many times by leaders ranging from Franklin Roosevelt and, of course, Ronald Reagan. (You may hear President Reagan's Tribute to Private Treptow in the video below.)
Naturally, we were very moved to learn about Martin Treptow’s selfless sacrifice and how it all began right here in our hometown. We’ve learned that our community has honored his memory in various ways throughout the years. And, we wish to honor him today as well.
But there is more: There are so many men and women who, like Martin Treptow, willingly gave their lives so that we could be free. We just haven't heard each riveting account. Think about that.
Remember the fallen heroes and the heroic families who incalculably sacrificed. To our Gold Star families, we have a message from our hearts: We honor your fallenheroes and we honor you, our Gold Star families, this Memorial Day. We do not forget what your son, daughter, mom, dad, grandpa, grandma, uncle, aunt, brother, and sister did. No words express how we feel. We honor your loved ones who gave all, and we honor you, too, because you still feel the pain of the sacrifice.
You are loved. Your fallen heroes are not forgotten. We honor them today. Mayour Lord Jesus give you comfort, love, and hope on this day.
God bless you always,Carrie Stoelting and Stacie Stoelting HudzinskiSisters and founders of Unite the USA
Indeed, Memorial Day weekend is not about having a long weekend. It’s about honoring and remembering our heroes who died in the name of freedom. Throughout our nation’s history so many men and women have given their lives so that others may live in freedom, peace, and safety.
When pausing to think, the meaning of Memorial Day leaves us speechless. It's so powerful no one can fully grasp what Memorial Day really means. We enjoy freedom because they shed their blood for us. It then further impassions us to continue our mission to honor our heroes, share God's love and truth, and never forget the meaning of freedom.When we share on national media to help veterans and their families, we always try to share the powerful quote from John 15:13 which says, "Greater love has no one thanthis, that someone lay down his life for his friends."
And that is a fact.
Recently, a deeply stirring story of a fallen hero came to our attention: Recently we learned more details about a WWI hero named Martin Treptow. This young man worked quietly as a barber in Cherokee, Iowa.
We grew up in the beautiful small of Cherokee, Iowa. And we have found this connection especially heart-stirring: In 1917, while living in our hometown, he enlisted in the U.S. Army to help protect others and defend freedom. Treptow’s regiment arrived in France in December of that year, and he wrote a pledge in his diary as a New Year's resolution for 1918. President Ronald Reagan, in his first inaugural address,spoke of Private Treptow's fate:
“Under a marker lies a young man, Martin Treptow, who left his job in a small town barbershop in 1917 to go to France with the famed Rainbow Division. There, on the western front, he was killed trying to carry a message between battalions under heavy artillery fire.
We're told that on his body was found a diary. On the flyleaf under the heading "My Pledge," he had written these words: "America must win this war. Therefore I will work, I will save, I will sacrifice, I will endure, I will fight cheerfully and do my utmost, as if the issue of the whole struggledepended on me alone."
Martin Treptow’s words became known as “Treptow’s Pledge” and this pledge has been quoted many times by leaders ranging from Franklin Roosevelt and, of course, Ronald Reagan. (You may hear President Reagan's Tribute to Private Treptow in the video below.)
Naturally, we were very moved to learn about Martin Treptow’s selfless sacrifice and how it all began right here in our hometown. We’ve learned that our community has honored his memory in various ways throughout the years. And, we wish to honor him today as well.
But there is more: There are so many men and women who, like Martin Treptow, willingly gave their lives so that we could be free. We just haven't heard each riveting account. Think about that.
Remember the fallen heroes and the heroic families who incalculably sacrificed. To our Gold Star families, we have a message from our hearts: We honor your fallenheroes and we honor you, our Gold Star families, this Memorial Day. We do not forget what your son, daughter, mom, dad, grandpa, grandma, uncle, aunt, brother, and sister did. No words express how we feel. We honor your loved ones who gave all, and we honor you, too, because you still feel the pain of the sacrifice.
You are loved. Your fallen heroes are not forgotten. We honor them today. Mayour Lord Jesus give you comfort, love, and hope on this day.
God bless you always,Carrie Stoelting and Stacie Stoelting HudzinskiSisters and founders of Unite the USA
Featured Quote
Treptow's Pledge:
“America must win this war. Therefore, I will work, I will save, I will sacrifice, I will endure, I will fight cheerfully and do my utmost, as if the issue of the whole struggle depended on me alone.”
-Martin Treptow(WWI Army veteran later killed in action)
“America must win this war. Therefore, I will work, I will save, I will sacrifice, I will endure, I will fight cheerfully and do my utmost, as if the issue of the whole struggle depended on me alone.”
-Martin Treptow(WWI Army veteran later killed in action)
Memorial Day Tribute by President Reagan
Watch this stirring Memorial Day tribute honoring our fallen heroes. The words spoken by President Reagan in this tribute still ring true today. (Here you can listen to President Reagan honor Private Martin Treptow, WWI hero KIA.) The images of our heroes shown throughout the video should remind us of the bravery and sacrifice of the many who died in the name of freedom. May we remember and honor them always.
Featured Bible Verse
A Memorial Day Prayer
We pray the truth of the Scriptures above for our nation, our military and their families. We lift up all the family and friends of our fallen men and women in uniform. We pray Your peace would keep them and give them hope. Help them remember the sacrifices of their loved ones with tears of pride and sorrow -- knowing their loved ones didn't die in vain -- but secured our liberties for another generation. For each military member and their families, we pray protection and provision. Protection for soldiers in the field of service and here at home for their families. Also, provision for them all by Your hand of grace and mercy because of the great sacrifices they make on Memorial Day and every day. In the name of the One Who also died for our freedom - our King Jesus. Amen.
Stories of Our Fallen Heroes
Martin Treptaw (1894-1918)WWI
In 1918, Private Martin August Treptow was serving on the Western Front with Company M, 168th Infantry, 84th Brigade, 42nd Division, known as the famed ‘Rainbow Division.’ The Rainbow Division had been in the thickest of the fight and the battle that day. On July 28, 1918, during the fighting near Chateau-Thierry, Treptow’s commanding officer called for a courier to carry an urgent message.
Regardless of the enemy’s heavy machine gun fire and artillery bombardment, Private Treptow volunteered, grabbed the message, and ran out under fire. As he was nearing the platoon leader, Treptow was killed by a hail of machine gun fire. Martin Treptow was only 24 years old.
His blood-stained diary was later found in his shirt pocket. On the first page, under the heading ‘My Pledge’ he had written his name and these words:
“America must win this war. Therefore, I will work, I will save, I will sacrifice, I will endure, I will fight cheerfully and do my utmost, as if the issue of the whole struggle depended on me alone.”
The pledge became known as the ‘Treptow Pledge’ and has been quoted by leaders such as President Franklin Roosevelt and President Ronald Reagan.
In 1918, Private Martin August Treptow was serving on the Western Front with Company M, 168th Infantry, 84th Brigade, 42nd Division, known as the famed ‘Rainbow Division.’ The Rainbow Division had been in the thickest of the fight and the battle that day. On July 28, 1918, during the fighting near Chateau-Thierry, Treptow’s commanding officer called for a courier to carry an urgent message.
Regardless of the enemy’s heavy machine gun fire and artillery bombardment, Private Treptow volunteered, grabbed the message, and ran out under fire. As he was nearing the platoon leader, Treptow was killed by a hail of machine gun fire. Martin Treptow was only 24 years old.
His blood-stained diary was later found in his shirt pocket. On the first page, under the heading ‘My Pledge’ he had written his name and these words:
“America must win this war. Therefore, I will work, I will save, I will sacrifice, I will endure, I will fight cheerfully and do my utmost, as if the issue of the whole struggle depended on me alone.”
The pledge became known as the ‘Treptow Pledge’ and has been quoted by leaders such as President Franklin Roosevelt and President Ronald Reagan.
Herbert K. Pilila’au (1928-1951)Korean War
On Sept. 13, 1951, the Americans launched an effort to take a heavily fortified and well-defended ridge eventually called “Heartbreak Ridge” due to the desperate fighting that went on there.
Herbert Pilila’au was a young man who served in the C Company, 23rd Infantry Regiment. He charged up the slopes of the ridge to take on Hill 931. However, his platoon’s attack bogged down and established a defensive perimeter while the rest of the company was positioned elsewhere.
With the help of supporting fire, the platoon was able to hold back probing attacks. But ultimately the North Koreans forcefully attacked and Pilila’au’s platoon attempted to rejoin the rest of the company. Pilila’au, his squad leader, and the company artillery observer stayed behind to cover the withdrawal. As the other two called for fire onto the enemy, Pilila’au poured fire into the enemy with his automatic rifle. He was surrounded by fire yet Pilila’au remained in his position to ensure his comrades were secure.
When he expended the last of his ammunition, he met the enemy advance with grenades. When those were gone, Pilila’au grabbed his trench knife and charged from his position to battle his foe hand-to-hand. His fellow soldiers watched from afar while Pilila’au charged forward stabbing and punching until he was overwhelmed and killed by an enemy bayonet.
On Sept. 13, 1951, the Americans launched an effort to take a heavily fortified and well-defended ridge eventually called “Heartbreak Ridge” due to the desperate fighting that went on there.
Herbert Pilila’au was a young man who served in the C Company, 23rd Infantry Regiment. He charged up the slopes of the ridge to take on Hill 931. However, his platoon’s attack bogged down and established a defensive perimeter while the rest of the company was positioned elsewhere.
With the help of supporting fire, the platoon was able to hold back probing attacks. But ultimately the North Koreans forcefully attacked and Pilila’au’s platoon attempted to rejoin the rest of the company. Pilila’au, his squad leader, and the company artillery observer stayed behind to cover the withdrawal. As the other two called for fire onto the enemy, Pilila’au poured fire into the enemy with his automatic rifle. He was surrounded by fire yet Pilila’au remained in his position to ensure his comrades were secure.
When he expended the last of his ammunition, he met the enemy advance with grenades. When those were gone, Pilila’au grabbed his trench knife and charged from his position to battle his foe hand-to-hand. His fellow soldiers watched from afar while Pilila’au charged forward stabbing and punching until he was overwhelmed and killed by an enemy bayonet.
Jack GainerKorean War
Jack Gainer was a mild-mannered, pleasant young man from Missouri and he enlisted in the U.S. Army. In mid-April of that year he arrived in Korea to command a platoon within the 32nd Infantry Regiment (IR) of the 7th Infantry Division.
The newly trained infantry officer joined the regiment as they fought to push the North Korean and Chinese forces north of the 38th parallel. Fighting on the front lines of the war, the 7th Infantry Division suffered heavy casualties, including the young infantry officer from Mid-Missouri.
Jack was killed on June 6, 1951 when he was shot through the stomach by a in the area of Chuncheon, Korea. He was only 20 years old.
Jack Gainer was a mild-mannered, pleasant young man from Missouri and he enlisted in the U.S. Army. In mid-April of that year he arrived in Korea to command a platoon within the 32nd Infantry Regiment (IR) of the 7th Infantry Division.
The newly trained infantry officer joined the regiment as they fought to push the North Korean and Chinese forces north of the 38th parallel. Fighting on the front lines of the war, the 7th Infantry Division suffered heavy casualties, including the young infantry officer from Mid-Missouri.
Jack was killed on June 6, 1951 when he was shot through the stomach by a in the area of Chuncheon, Korea. He was only 20 years old.
Lance Sijan (1942-1968)Vietnam
Lance Sijan was a U.S. Air Force officer and fighter pilot during the war in Vietnam. While on a flight over North Vietnam, Captain Sijan ejected from his disabled aircraft and successfully evaded capture for more than 6 weeks. During this time, he was seriously injured and suffered from shock and extreme weight loss due to lack of food.
Ultimately he was captured by North Vietnamese soldiers and Lance Sijan was taken to a holding point for subsequent transfer to a POW camp. Even in his emaciated, weak condition, he overpowered one of his guards and crawled into the jungle. Several hours later he was recaptured and transferred to another prison camp. At that point, he was put in solitary confinement, interrogated, and severely tortured. Regardless of being tortured, he did not reveal any information to his captors. Captain Sijan at last fell into delirium and was placed in the care of another prisoner. He had intermittent periods of consciousness until his death.
Captain Sijan never complained of his physical condition and repeatedly spoke of future escape attempts. He posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his heroism and selfless sacrifice.
Lance Sijan was a U.S. Air Force officer and fighter pilot during the war in Vietnam. While on a flight over North Vietnam, Captain Sijan ejected from his disabled aircraft and successfully evaded capture for more than 6 weeks. During this time, he was seriously injured and suffered from shock and extreme weight loss due to lack of food.
Ultimately he was captured by North Vietnamese soldiers and Lance Sijan was taken to a holding point for subsequent transfer to a POW camp. Even in his emaciated, weak condition, he overpowered one of his guards and crawled into the jungle. Several hours later he was recaptured and transferred to another prison camp. At that point, he was put in solitary confinement, interrogated, and severely tortured. Regardless of being tortured, he did not reveal any information to his captors. Captain Sijan at last fell into delirium and was placed in the care of another prisoner. He had intermittent periods of consciousness until his death.
Captain Sijan never complained of his physical condition and repeatedly spoke of future escape attempts. He posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his heroism and selfless sacrifice.
Jason Dunham (1981-2004)Iraq War
Jason Dunham's unit on patrol in Husaybah, Iraq when a firefight erupted in the area. His unit was ordered to intercept cars in the vicinity that had been seen at the attack.
As Dunham approached a vehicle to search it, an insurgent jumped out and engaged him in hand-to-hand combat. Dunham wrestled the insurgent to the ground and noticed that the insurgent had pulled the pin of a grenade and dropped it.
Immediately Dunham covered the grenade with his helmet and body, bearing the brunt of the explosion to shield his Marines from the blast.
Jason Dunham was mortally wounded, but saved the lives of two Marines. He was evacuated to the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland in a coma where he died eight days later. Jason Dunham was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for sacrificing himself to save his fellow Marines during the Iraq War.
As Dunham approached a vehicle to search it, an insurgent jumped out and engaged him in hand-to-hand combat. Dunham wrestled the insurgent to the ground and noticed that the insurgent had pulled the pin of a grenade and dropped it.
Immediately Dunham covered the grenade with his helmet and body, bearing the brunt of the explosion to shield his Marines from the blast.
Jason Dunham was mortally wounded, but saved the lives of two Marines. He was evacuated to the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland in a coma where he died eight days later. Jason Dunham was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for sacrificing himself to save his fellow Marines during the Iraq War.
Megan McClung (1972-2006)Iraq War
Megan McClung was commissioned an officer in the Marine Corps in 1995 and she served on active duty until 2004 at which time she entered the Reserves. In 2006, she returned to active duty with the Marines.
In January 2006, McClung was deployed to Iraq as a public affairs officer with the I Marine Expeditionary Force. By June she was promoted to the rank of Major.
By December 2006, Major McClung was in the final month of her year-long deployment and she was serving with the I Marine Expeditionary Force as the Marine Corps head of public affairs for Al Anbar Province, in charge of embedded journalists.
Early in the day on December 6, 2006 she had been accompanying Oliver North with his Fox News camera crew in Ramadi. Later in the day she was escorting Newsweek journalists into downtown Ramadi. Tragically, a massive improvised explosive device (IED) destroyed Major McClung's Humvee. It instantly killing Megan McClung and two other occupants, Army Capt. Travis Patriquin and Army Spec. Vincent Pomante III. (The Newsweek journalists were not wounded.)
Major Megan McClung was buried with full military honors in Arlington National Cemetery on December 19, 2006.
Megan McClung was commissioned an officer in the Marine Corps in 1995 and she served on active duty until 2004 at which time she entered the Reserves. In 2006, she returned to active duty with the Marines.
In January 2006, McClung was deployed to Iraq as a public affairs officer with the I Marine Expeditionary Force. By June she was promoted to the rank of Major.
By December 2006, Major McClung was in the final month of her year-long deployment and she was serving with the I Marine Expeditionary Force as the Marine Corps head of public affairs for Al Anbar Province, in charge of embedded journalists.
Early in the day on December 6, 2006 she had been accompanying Oliver North with his Fox News camera crew in Ramadi. Later in the day she was escorting Newsweek journalists into downtown Ramadi. Tragically, a massive improvised explosive device (IED) destroyed Major McClung's Humvee. It instantly killing Megan McClung and two other occupants, Army Capt. Travis Patriquin and Army Spec. Vincent Pomante III. (The Newsweek journalists were not wounded.)
Major Megan McClung was buried with full military honors in Arlington National Cemetery on December 19, 2006.
Honoring the Honorable
We give tribute to our military, past and present and remember the fallen:The American Revolution 1775-1783The Indian Wars1775-1890Shay's Rebellion1786-1787The Whiskey Rebellion 1794Quasi-War With France 1798-1800Fries's Rebellion1799The Barbary Wars1800-1815The War of 18121812-1815Mexican-American War 1846-1848U.S. Slave Rebellions 1800-1865"Bleeding Kansas"1855-1860Brown's Raid on Harper's Ferry - 1859United States Civil War 1861-1865U.S. Intervention in Hawaiian Revolution -1893The Spanish-American War - 1898U.S. Intervention in Samoan Civil War1898-1899U.S.-Philippine War1899-1902Boxer Rebellion - 1900The Moro Wars1901-1913U.S. Intervention in Panamanian Revolution 1903The Banana Wars1909-1933U.S. Occupation of Vera Cruz - 1914Pershing's Raid Into Mexico - 1916-1917World War I - 1914-1918Allied Intervention in Russian Civil War1919-1921World War II - 1941-1945The Cold War - 1945-1991The Korean War1950-1953Vietnam War - 1956-1975U.S. Intervention in Lebanon - 1958Dominican Intervention 1965Iranian Hostage Rescue 1980 (April 25)U.S. Libya Conflict1981, 1986U.S. Intervention in Lebanon - 1982-1984U.S. Invasion of Grenada 1983"Operation Earnest Will" 1987-1988U.S. Invasion of Panama 1989Second Persian Gulf War "Operation Desert Storm" 1991"No-Fly Zone" War1991-2003U.S. Intervention in Somalia - 1992-1994NATO Intervention in Bosnia (Operation Deliberate Force) Summary - 1994-1995U.S. Occupation of Haiti 1994U.S. Embassy bombings and strikes on Afghanistan and Sudan (The bin Laden War) - August, 1998"Desert Fox" Campaign (part of U.S./Iraq Conflict) December, 1998Kosovo War - 1999Attack on the USS Cole October 12, 2000Attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon September 11, 2001Afghanistan War (Operation Enduring Freedom)October 7, 2001-Present"Operation Iraqi Freedom" March 19, 2003-2011