Memorial Day Salute - 2021

Memorial Day falls on Monday, May 31, this year in the United States.  The most important thing Americans do on Memorial Day is honor military service members who gave their lives serving in the nation's wars or who died as a result of their combat injuries. 

​Many novels, memoirs, histories, and films tell the story of the men and women--sometimes known and more often unknown to most people--honored on Memorial Day.

Among the many are two young Marines--Corporal Jonathan T. Yale and Lance Corporal Jordan C. Haerter--who gave their lives in the line of duty.  Their actions on April 22, 2008, saved over 150 U.S. Marines and Iraqi Police.  It all happened in Ramadi, Iraq, which at the time was one of the most dangerous towns on Earth.

I learned about their inspirational actions from the following speech and film.  You can, too. 

​I. The Speech.
​"Six Seconds to Live"​

General John F. Kelly, USMC, Commander, U.S. Southern Command, honored Yale and Haerter's  memory in this speech he gave to U.S. Marines in 2010.  The speech was originally titled, "Six Seconds to Live."

Corporal Yale (1988-2008) and Lance Corporal Haerter (1987-2008)  were awarded posthumously the Navy Cross, the second highest military decoration of the United States.  Their bravery continues to inspire U.S. Marines.

​Visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=02ALe8Oqj7g  to hear  General Kelly's vivid description of the valor of Yale and Haerter.

• The speech is approximately eleven minutes.  It begins at minute 5:14 on the video. ​

II.  The Film.
"The 11th Order"

This fast-paced 25-minute film is based on the true story of Corporal Yale and Lance Corporal Haerter's stand against a suicide truck bomb in Ramadi, Iraq.

​Visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q23gKyHWjjg​ to watch the  "The 11th Order"  produced by  The University of Texas at Austin, Radio-Television-Film, Moody College of Communication.

​It's an emotional ride filled with action and salty language.

The 11th Marine Corps General Order

To be especially watchful at night,
and during the time for challenging,
to challenge all persons on or near my post
and to allow no one to pass
without proper authority.

_____________
Notes:  
1. Sometimes Memorial Day is confused with Veterans Day, which is always observed on November 11 and honors everyone who served in the United States military.
2.  USA Flags on Memorial Day, photo by Lynne Schall, May 2017.
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