Honoring Memorial Day: A Tribute to Our Heroes

Today, on Memorial Day, we pause to honor and remember the brave men and women who have sacrificed their lives for our country. This day is not merely a holiday; it is a profound day of remembrance and honor, a time to reflect on the freedoms and values preserved through the ultimate sacrifices of our armed forces.

This day is more than just a holiday; it is a profound occasion for reflection and gratitude. While many of us may enjoy a day of rest, we are deeply aware of the colleagues who will be on duty, particularly our craft employees and operational crews. Your unwavering commitment to maintaining our services on this important day exemplifies the dedication and resilience that are the hallmarks of WAPA.

At the Western Area Power Administration (WAPA), we recognize the importance of this solemn occasion. Here are some ways we can collectively honor the significance of Memorial Day:

• Moment of Silence: We encourage everyone to take a moment of silence to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation.
• Participate Locally: Attend Memorial Day events or ceremonies to express our collective respect and gratitude.
• Reflect: Take time to consider the values of courage, service, and sacrifice that unite us as a community and as part of the larger national fabric.

On this Memorial Day, whether you are reflecting quietly, honoring loved ones, or standing post in service to our community, we extend our heartfelt appreciation for your dedication to our mission. Your efforts ensure that our facilities operate smoothly and reliably, embodying the spirit of those we honor today.

Table of the Fallen Soldier Display

In a special tribute, WAPA’s Veterans Employee Resource Group set up a Table of the Fallen Soldier at our headquarters in Lakewood, CO. This poignant display, available from Friday, May 24, through Friday, May 31, honors our brave and selfless American military members who have perished on the battlefield, those taken as prisoners on foreign soil, and those who remain missing.

 

Elements of the Table

• The table is round – to show our everlasting concern for our fallen and our missing.
• The table, set for one – is small, symbolizing the frailty of one prisoner alone against his or her suppressors.
• The white tablecloth – symbolizing the purity of their intentions to respond to their country’s call to arms.
• The single red rose – reminds us of the life of each of our fallen, and the loved ones and friends who miss them each and every day.
• The vase is tied with a red ribbon – a symbol of our continued determination to remember our fallen and find our missing.
• The slices of lemon – on the plate is to remind us of the bitter fate of those who will never return.
• The inverted wine glass – they cannot toast with us at this time.
• The empty chair – they are no longer with us.
• The candle – is reminiscent of the light of hope which lives in our hearts to illuminate their way home from their captors, to the open arms of a grateful nation.

We extend our support and empathy to the families and loved ones of those who have served. Their resilience and strength inspire us all. Let us continue to work together with a renewed sense of purpose and dedication, inspired by the heroism and selflessness of those we remember on this day.

Thank you for honoring Memorial Day with us.