05/26/2026
Memorial Day Message from the Commander, Disabled American Veterans Department of North Carolina David Brown
Today, we pause as a grateful nation to honor the men and women who gave their last full measure of devotion in service to the United States of America. Memorial Day is not simply a date on the calendar—it is a solemn reminder of the cost of freedom and the enduring legacy of those who stood in harm’s way so that others might live in peace.
Here in North Carolina, a state rich with military heritage and home to countless veterans, service members, and Gold Star families, we feel this day deeply. Our communities know the weight of sacrifice. We know the empty seats at family tables, the names etched in stone, and the stories of courage that echo long after the battlefield has grown quiet.
As members of the Disabled American Veterans, we carry forward a sacred responsibility: to honor the fallen by supporting the living. Every veteran we assist, every family we uplift, every voice we raise in advocacy is a tribute to those who never returned home. Their sacrifice calls us to serve with purpose, compassion, and unity.
I encourage each of you to take a moment today to reflect—to visit a memorial, speak the name of a fallen hero, comfort a family who mourns, or simply stand in quiet gratitude. Let us ensure that the memory of our nation’s heroes is not confined to ceremonies but lives on in our actions every day.
On behalf of the DAV Department of North Carolina, I extend my deepest respect to all who have lost a loved one in service to our country. May we honor their legacy with unwavering commitment to the veterans and families who continue to bear the burden of sacrifice.
May God bless our fallen heroes, their families, the great state of North Carolina, and the United States of America.
Veterans Helping Veterans
David Brown
Department Commander
