Staff Reports
Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins used his Wake Up America appearance to cut through the noise and remind Americans what Memorial Day really means. His message was simple and sharp: this holiday is a moment to honor those who died in uniform, not a permission slip to start summer early. If you missed the interview, watch the clip below and then think about how you mark the day.
VA Secretary’s Message: Remember the Sacrifice
On Newsmax’s Wake Up America, Secretary Doug Collins urged Americans to treat Memorial Day as “a moment of reflection for sacrifice.” He reminded viewers, bluntly and correctly, that “Memorial Day is not Veterans Day.” The Department of Veterans Affairs is backing that talk with action — hosting ceremonies at more than 130 national cemeteries and asking citizens to attend and reflect on the debt we owe fallen service members.
Don’t Let the Holiday Become a Sales Event
Listen, backyard barbecues and pool openings are fine. But turning Memorial Day into a clearance-sale weekend is a national low. Too many folks treat the day like the first chance to grill burgers and shop for a discount TV. Secretary Collins is right to call that out. Honor doesn’t require grand gestures — it requires attention, respect, and a willingness to stand still for a few minutes to remember those who paid the ultimate price.
Practical Ways to Honor Fallen Heroes
If you want to do more than post a social-media line, go to a ceremony at your local VA cemetery or community memorial. Attend a wreath-laying, listen to the speakers, and if you can, speak with a veteran or a family member. The VA has made it easy this year with planned events nationwide, and showing up costs nothing but time. Supporting better VA services — faster claims, improved health care, and more thoughtful hiring — is another way to honor service, because our veterans deserve a functioning department, not just platitudes.
Final Thought: Memory Is a Duty
Secretary Collins gave a plain and patriotic reminder: Memorial Day is a duty of memory. If we let it slip into a three-day shopping spree, we cheat the fallen and their families. So this weekend, turn down the bargain hunting for a few hours, visit a memorial, and remember why we enjoy our freedoms. It’s the least we can do, and frankly, it’s the right thing to do.
