National Service and Veterans Organizations Join Forces to Honor Fallen Military Heroes
Arlington, VA – Travis Manion Foundation, one of the nation’s leading veteran service organizations, and AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism, announced today they are partnering to encourage Americans this Memorial Day to volunteer and serve in honor of our fallen military heroes.
In a time of growing division in America, these two national organizations are partnering to help unite communities in service, and honor those who gave their lives for our country, starting with planting flags at six national cemeteries across the nation.
“Memorial Day is a time for us to remember those who gave their lives while protecting our freedom. It is a day to share the stories of fallen heroes, who were willing to put others before themselves, by serving their country with great pride,” said TMF President and Gold Star Sister Ryan Manion. “It is through these stories that we are able to convey the character and leadership, which will inspire future generations to serve in and unite their own communities.”
Opportunities to serve through TMF are part of their Operation Legacy, which is a series of service projects including park cleanups, planting memorial trees, food collection drives, and their feature campaign for Memorial Day - #TheHonorProject.
Recognizing the challenges for families of fallen military to visit their loved one’s grave sites due to COVID-19 restrictions on travel, social distancing, and capacity, TMF will be deploying volunteers to visit Arlington National cemetery over Memorial Day Weekend to pay respects for those who cannot be there in person by placing wood flags at each hero’s gravesite. #TheHonorProject ensures our nation's fallen heroes are not forgotten, while engaging our patriotic network of volunteers from May 28 through May 30.
Through its service programs, AmeriCorps has the dual privilege of serving veterans and creating new opportunities for them to serve. AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers serve the needs of the Veteran and military communities across the country and offer ways for them to continue their service in their own communities, with more than 20,000 former servicemembers joining the AmeriCorps ranks each year.
“Unity through service is central to the American character,” said Mal Coles, Acting Chief Executive Officer, AmeriCorps. “This Memorial Day, we are grateful to partner with the Travis Manion Foundation to give our fellow Americans an opportunity to do just that—bring our country together—while celebrating the lives of our fallen heroes and honoring their ultimate sacrifice.
AmeriCorps is recruiting volunteers of all ages and backgrounds to join #TheHonorProject in their local communities to help plant flags at six National Cemeteries: Arlington; Los Angeles; Austin, Texas; Denver; Atlanta; and Concord, New Hampshire from May 27-May 31. Location specifics, shift details, and more information are available at: americorps.gov/veterans.
For more information about #TheHonorProject, visit www.travismanion.org/thehonorproject
About Travis Manion Foundation
Travis Manion Foundation unites communities to strengthen America's national character by empowering veterans and families of fallen heroes to develop and lead future generations. In 2007, 1st Lt Travis Manion (USMC) was killed in Iraq while saving his wounded teammates. Today, Travis' legacy lives on in the words he spoke before leaving for his final deployment, "If Not Me, Then Who..." Guided by this mantra, veterans continue their service, develop strong relationships with their communities, and thrive in their post-military lives by serving as character role models to youth. As a result, communities prosper and the character of our nation’s heroes lives on in the next generation.
The story of 1st Lt. Travis Manion and his Naval Academy brother LT (SEAL) Brendan Looney have been publicized in the book Brothers Forever, and additional information about the Foundation can be found at www.travismanion.org.