Air Force Pilot Ace: Honor Iraq War Heroes this Memorial Day‏

Dear Fellow American,

Memorial Day is quickly approaching, and to most Americans, this means the beginning of summer. In reality, it's the one day of the year we dedicate to remembering those who gave all to protect the freedoms we cherish. As you plan your first barbecue of the season and prepare for the warm weather, I urge you to keep in mind the real reason we celebrate Memorial Day: to pay tribute to America's veterans and fallen soldiers.

Throughout my career in the Air Force, I logged more than 800 combat hours in the F-4 Phantom during 339 missions over Southeast Asia. I'm proud to be the only Air Force Pilot Ace of the air war in Vietnam, but what makes me the proudest is knowing that title is the result of many, many devoted people working together. Anyone whose ever served in combat knows someone who gave his our her life for Our Country. I'm certainly no exception. I remember each and every man I served with in Vietnam who did not return home.

This is why I've become involved in the veterans' community and today serve on the advisory board of the American Veterans Center, the organization that coordinates the National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, DC. I'm writing today because this year's parade is our first public opportunity to honor our newest generation of veterans—the young men and women who bravely served in Iraq, sacrificing family relationships, jobs, and economic stability to go off and fight for our country.

Will you join me in paying tribute to our Iraq War veterans—and all of American's veterans and active duty service members—by marching in the National Memorial Day Parade on May 28? You can't come all the way to Washington, DC, you say? You don't have to travel to take part in this special tribute, because we're holding a virtual parade online! Follow this link to register, select your avatar and join thousands of patriots across our nation to honor America's veterans from the Revolutionary War up to the Iraq War.

After you complete your registration, please make a generous tax-deductible contribution to support the American Veterans Center's efforts throughout the year, including events for wounded veterans at Walter Reed and Bethesda Naval Hospital, programs to educate our youth about the history of America's veterans and their legacy, and the publication of American Valor Quarterly.

Freedom isn't free, but for nearly 70 years, Washington, DC, was without a parade on our Armed Services' most sacred day. In 2005, the American Veterans Center revived the tradition of a Memorial Day parade in our nation's capital, and today it serves two vital civic purposes: to give the general public the opportunity to honor our services members and pay tribute to our veterans, while allowing active duty troops, veterans, and reenactors showcase the sacrifice of all our veterans in an exciting procession of American history the whole family can enjoy.

Whether you live in the Washington Metro Area and plan to attend this year's parade or you live as far away as Hawaii or Alaska, I encourage you to join us on May 28, 2012, to honor America's veterans, including the 4487 America services members who gave their lives in the Iraq War.

Please follow this link to register for the virtual Memorial Day parade and join thousands of veterans, active duty troops and civilians across America to pay tribute to our veterans. Then please make the most generous, tax-deductible contribution you can afford to the American Veterans Center to support the parade and our activities throughout the year.

With your support and participation in the virtual parade, we'll promote our veterans' legacy, remember those who gave all, and preserve their sacrifices. Thank you in advance.

Sincerely,

R. Steve Ritchie
Brigadier General, U.S. Air Force, Ret.
Marshal, National Memorial Day Parade

P.S. Celebrate Memorial Day 2012 and honor America's veterans and active duty troops by marching in the National Memorial Day Parade—online. Follow this link to register, select your avatar, and join millions of your fellow patriots on May 28, 2012. After you register for the virtual parade, I hope you'll make a generous tax-deductible contribution to support the efforts of the American Veterans Center.

---

The mission of The American Veterans Center is to preserve the legacy of our veterans and part of the mission is accomplished by communicating the sacrifice that our veterans have made to the public, and in particular, to younger generations.

Contributions to The American Veterans Center are tax-deductible.