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REMEMBER

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Every Memorial Day Americans from all walks of life take an opportunity to unite in places all over the world to honor our fallen warriors--those champions of freedom who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation. The outward display of this national holiday is flags, parades, insignia, playing of the national anthem, and flowers on the graves of our veterans. It is that one time of year for our collective nation to thank our heroes, and their families and friends, and acknowledge a sacrifice that has allowed our country to sustain a democracy like no other in the history of the world. We, along with a grateful nation, remain inspired by their strength and remarkable courage.

            There is nothing more profoundly American than memorial ceremonies.  Throughout our history, American’s sons and daughters have willingly laid down their lives to strengthen our country and preserve its freedoms. Indeed, the greatness of this republic is founded in their selfless sacrifice. They rest quietly now…beneath chalk-white headstones here at home, or in battlefield graves where they fell, or in the depths of the oceans where they made their final resting place.

            This day, let us take the time to come together as a community and not only pay tribute to the fallen, but pay tribute to an ideal that inspired them; to the ideal that there is something greater than oneself, to the ideal that is America.

            I ask each of you: ”How should we honor them? How can we pay tribute to those laid to rest beneath our flag? How do we thank those who allow us to stand freely beside our flag today?”

Remember!

Remember how they stood with courage and memorialize their devotion to America and our principles.

Remember.

The sun will set this day and disappear behind foothills of Kentucky and Tennessee, fall into the Pacific Ocean, and disappear from the plains of Texas to Kansas. In the morning, when it rises, what then? What should we do?

Remember.

When you see our star-spangled banner waving over your child’s school, at your local shopping center, or in front of your neighbor’s home, take a moment to remember those men and women who gave their lives for the principles that make America great. Upon seeing a Purple Heart license plate or hearing the national anthem at a sporting event, take a moment to remember those who did not survive their wounds…who did not return home…who can never salute the flag or share in the freedoms we experience every day.

These are the acts of remembrance, daily rituals of reflection handed down to us by families of the fallen for generations. Remembrance, like love and trust, only truly exists in our actions. It’s not a place we visit or a simple sentiment; rather, it’s a debt of gratitude that shapes our way of life. It’s through these gestures that the heroes of America live forever in our hearts and in the fabric of our nation.

In remembering, we also celebrate their lives and treasure the freedom made possible by their sacrifice.

Let us pledge today to make a habit of these acts of remembrance as an example for the generations that follow. Each year take a moment to reconvene on hallowed ground and reaffirm our promise to always remember.

Today, as we honor the sacrifice of those souls who fought and died for America, we ask all our service members and their families to accept our deepest gratitude for their sacrifice and service, and we promise to always…Remember.

God Bless America.

Authored By: John Novalis, Managing Director

John Novalis

John spent 32 years in leadership and executive level roles in the United States Army retiring as a Brigadier General. He currently resides in Keller, Texas and works for Bell Helicopter as Director, Advanced Programs and Weapon Systems Integration, leading sustainment, logistics, and digital enterprise initiatives for Bell’s Future Vertical Lift programs.   

A native of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, John joined the military after his graduation in 1987 from West Point with a degree in Economics. While in the military John served in key roles including Operations Officer, Multinational Corps Northeast (NATO) located in Szczecin, Poland where he directed Joint Operations and maintained U.S. strategic imperatives across North-Eastern Europe, and as Deputy Commander for Sustainment of the famed 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) his portfolio included the logistical planning, sustainment, and equipment readiness of Fort Campbell, Kentucky’s 21,000+ Soldiers and units. His role also included training and leadership development initiatives across a broad level of basic and advanced programs. 

One of his key strategic positions was being selected as Executive Assistant to the 18th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff where he assisted the Chairman in articulating independent military advice on strategic policies to the President of the United States and Secretary of Defense for over two years, traveling the world supporting the United States State Department diplomatic efforts. 

John spent several contingency deployments to include tours of duty to Haiti for humanitarian support; three years of combat operations in Iraq and one year in Afghanistan, providing him a unique perspective on crisis management and strategic planning. 

Before joining Bell, John served as a Highly Qualified Expert for the Department of Defense where he coached and taught senior leaders in the art and science of mission command and leadership fundamentals.

He is a combat aviator with over 500 combat hours and holds Master’s degrees from Webster University in Human Resources, and in National Security Strategy from the United States National War College.

John is happily married for over 32 years and blessed to be a grandfather. He currently sits on the Board of Directors for Free Form Fibers and gives his time between his family, church, and job, finding life balance and fulfilling his passions in aviation, leadership coaching, and the outdoors.  

Victory Strategies is a Veteran Owned Business.