With Memorial Day coming up, it’s necessary to pay tribute to the armed forces that fight for our freedoms and keep us safe every day of their lives. Whatever your political persuasion and whatever your beliefs on war, a tribute to armed forces needn’t be political or divisive.
And that’s the stance taken by the American Heroes Channel, who will be honoring the troops with their third annual Salute to Sacrifice event.
In a press release for the event, the American Heroes Channel plans to pay tribute to the armed forces in partnership with the Bob Woodruff Foundation, The Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) and Got Your Six.
“This Memorial Day, I urge viewers everywhere to take pause and appreciate the incredible valor, heroism and sacrifice of our troops and veterans,” said Kevin Bennett, general manager of American Heroes Channel. “These men and women are true American heroes, and we are proud to partner once again with incredible veteran and active duty organizations to show our continued support and gratitude for their service.” In addition to the special on-air and digital SALUTE TO SACRIFICE activations, AHC has partnered with veteran owned clothing company Nine Line Apparel to create a limited-edition SALUTE TO SACRIFICE t-shirt in honor of our nation’s heroes. The co-branded t-shirt is available for purchase through June 5.”
The first U.S. convoy leaves Hampton Roads, Va. to cross the North Atlantic after entering World War I #OTD in 1917. pic.twitter.com/7jLb5Z4IsE
— AHC (@ahc_tv) May 24, 2017
The first show that will air in tribute to the armed forces will be on Saturday, May 27, at 8:00 pm EST, in a show called The Heroes of Tarawa .
While not a much-talked-about battle, according to Eyewitness to History , it was one of the first and most important battles of the Second World War.
And while the battle was considered victorious for the Allied forces, it came at a heavy price . Still, it was a sign of things to come in the Pacific and would eventually lead to an Allied victory in the Second World War.
“By the end of the day the Marines were able to break out from the beach to the inland. The fierce combat continued for another two days. The cost of victory was high for the Marines who suffered nearly 3,000 casualties. The toll was even higher for the Japanese. Of the 4,700 defenders, only 17 survived. Their willingness to fight to the last man foreshadowed the fierceness of the battles to come.”
Happy #HumpDay ! A F/a-18c prepares for flight operations in Alaska, today. U.S. Marine Corps Photo by 1st Lt. Melissa M. Heisterberg pic.twitter.com/R5TXSZRERH
— AHC (@ahc_tv) May 24, 2017
On Monday, May 28th, there will be another tribute to the armed forces on the channel with a showing of Storming Normandy beginning at 8:00 pm EST. The Invasion of Normandy was the largest amphibious invasion of the Second World War, and according to Britannica , this battle of the Second World War was also known as Operation Overlord.
It was considered a victory for the Allied forces as well, and D-Day was the fulcrum upon which the remainder of the war turned.
“By the end of August 1944 all of northern France was liberated, and the invading forces reorganized for the drive into Germany, where they would eventually meet with Soviet forces advancing from the east to bring an end to the Nazi Reich. Normandy Invasion, also called Operation Overlord, during World War II, the Allied invasion of western Europe, which was launched on June 6, 1944 (the most celebrated D-Day of the war), with the simultaneous landing of U.S., British, and Canadian forces on five separate beachheads in Normandy, France.”
How will you pay tribute to armed forces on Memorial Day? Leave your thoughts about how you and the rest of America should pay tribute to armed forces in the comments below.
[Featured Image by Discovery Communications]