VA NY Harbor Healthcare System

This is “My VA. I get all my medical services here,” said Veteran Francis Racioppi, following his remarks to an audience of Veterans and Staff at a 5/25 Memorial Day event at VA’s Manhattan Campus.

I am truly honored for the opportunity to stand before you today in a building that exists to both serve those Servicemen and Women who were fortunate enough to come home, as well as honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Memorial Day is defined as the day we officially remember and honor those who have fallen fighting our nation’s wars, both large and small. Started during the American Civil War by the Union’s Grand Army of the Republic, soldiers made time to lay flowers on the battlefield graves of their brothers. Shortly after the start of the Union tradition, the Confederate Army initiated their own practice, and near the conclusion of the war, a unified day of celebration was agreed upon. Memorial day provides Veterans and civilians alike the chance to reflect and pay respect by laying flowers. Sharing a meal, attending a parade, or reminiscing about better times spent serving in the United States Military.

But today, war is different than the Civil War. War is different than the World Wars. Or, the Vietnam War. And even the Gulf War. Today, war is no longer defined by a line in the sand, or a demarcation in the woods, or even a nation’s borders. War is fought on foreign soil, alongside foreign brothers and sisters. And war is fought here at home, against enemies both foreign and domestic.

In wars of the past our nation was at war. Car factories manufactured tanks, plans and ammunition. Clothing companies produced military uniforms. Every citizen was affected on a daily basis by the war effort and every citizen understood the consequences of failure.

Today, our nation remains at war. But, often it seems that only Veterans, their loved ones, and those who support them are actually affected. Yet today our Veterans are asked to do more than ever. They are asked to fight an enemy with no front lines, no uniform, no boundaries, and often, no morality. And, they are asked to do it repeatedly. Time and time again. In different war zones. Against different foes. Today, returning deployment is no longer a guarantee that a Veteran’s war is over.

Some Veterans return back to conflict. Like Sergeant First Class John Jarrell who deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom three times and Operation Enduring Freedom once. Sergeant First Class Jarrell was the greatest mentor, Soldier, and friend, a young Lieutenant Francis Racioppi could ever ask for.

On the warm Iraqi morning of March 19, 2006, I stood paralyzed in fear and confusion, and uncertainty as the enemy handed me my very first firefight. One single sniper round echoed off the concrete walls around me striking one of my soldiers, driving him to the ground. With gunfire now raining down from five different directions Sergeant Jarrell ran through an open intersection filled with enemy bullets. He dragged our wounded brother to safety. He rendered combat casualty care. And he saved his life. For this action John Jarrell was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Valor.

Four years later, Sergeant Jarrell again answered our nation’s call – this time to Afghanistan. Now a husband, and a young father of two, he continued to combat a determined enemy. Yet on July 15th, 2010 Sergeant John Jarrell lost his life in defense of his country and the protection of the American Dream.

Other Veterans, like Specialist Ryan Day, came home from deployment to Afghanistan a war hero. Serving as a decorated Army Ranger, Ryan reintegrated into society looking forward to the next phase of his life. Yet the stress of combat and the highs of military service and training festered inside of Ryan. Unable to find an outlet for his anxiety or a calming presence to talk to. Ryan engaged in high risk activity to fill the void left behind after months of pure adrenaline. On December 14th, 2015, Specialist Ryan Day took his own life.

War has changed, but our Veterans have not. Those who have served the United States of America share a common bond, a unity, a brotherhood, that can never be replicated.  The challenges that face Veterans both young and old remain the same. No one understands that more than those standing here today.

So this Memorial Day I ask of you two simple things. In this building; in this VA facility, in MY VA facility, I first ask that you honor the ultimate sacrifice of my friend John Jarrell, and all the others who have lost their lives in our nation’s wars. May we never forget them or their families. And second, that you not only honor my friend Ryan day and the other Veterans who have struggled upon their return home, but every day when you walk through those doors of the New York Harbor VA, MY VA, that you dedicate yourself to selflessly serve those who have so unselfishly served you

This Memorial Day share your stories, honor your battle buddies, celebrate life, and continue to support Veterans of all our nation’s wars. Thank you again for your time this morning, And enjoy Memorial Day!