DEAR ABBY: Would you please invite all Americans to stand together, unified in spirit, for 60 seconds of respectful silence during the National Moment of Remembrance at 3 p.m. local time this Memorial Day?
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The purpose of this moment is a noble one, to honor America's fallen. The freedoms we take for granted each day are reminders of their ultimate sacrifice and our ongoing debt to them. We mourn our fallen and honor their courageous legacy and the future they bequeathed to us.
The agony of a fallen soldier's mother is as old as war. One such mother is Sallie Stubenhofer. Her son, Mark, was killed by a sniper in Iraq. He left three young children, including a daughter who was born four months after his return to active duty. Mark and his wife named their baby Hope, which signified what he wanted to offer his children and all children.
The Moment of Remembrance and our year-long, lifelong determination to "live honoring America's fallen" are in memory of Army Capt. Mark Stubenhofer and all those brave members of our military who have died in the service of our nation. We invite all Americans to pause in their Memorial Day activities at 3:00 local time to honor those who live in our history, reside in our hearts and rest forever in the arms of God. -- CARMELLA LA SPADA, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, WHITE HOUSE COMMISSION ON REMEMBRANCE
DEAR CARMELLA: I am pleased to convey your invitation to observe the annual Moment of Remembrance.
Readers, Memorial Day is Monday. I hope you will join me and millions of other Americans at 3 p.m. local time in giving heartfelt acknowledgment of our fallen heroes for the noble sacrifice they have made in the name of freedom.