#RememberTheirSacrifices

[its-suanneschafer-author]

Memorial Day is a time to honor those brave American soldiers from every ethnic, religious, and racial background who gave their time in military service—and sometimes their lives—in the name of America. This year, remember to vote BLUE, to vote against the vile fascist who refuses to acknowledge their service.

[harmonyhealinghub]

Silent Sacrifice: The Story of an Indigenous Canadian Soldier Shaina Tranquilino November 8, 2024

John Standing Elk was a proud Anishinaabe warrior from a small, windswept reserve on the shores of Lake Superior. As a young man, he listened intently to the stories of his ancestors, tales woven with resilience and hope. When war swept across Europe, John, like many Indigenous men across Canada, felt the pull of duty—not just to defend the land he loved but to uphold the warrior spirit ingrained in his people. He enlisted, despite the whispers from the elders warning him of broken promises and mistreatment that came too easily from those who ruled the nation. In 1942, John found himself across the ocean, surrounded by mud, smoke, and the sharp scent of gunpowder. He stood shoulder to shoulder with men from all corners of Canada, his long black braid a testament to who he was and the people he fought for. The camaraderie was real; in the trenches, they were all brothers, sharing rations and hopes of seeing home again. John’s keen eyes and quiet determination earned him respect, and his comrades soon realized he could read the land and weather with an uncanny precision that saved their lives more than once.

But when the battles subsided and medals were pinned on chests, the chasm of inequality became stark. John, with a chest full of ribbons and a soldier’s battered heart, returned to Canada expecting, perhaps naively, a sense of belonging and gratitude. Instead, he was met with barriers. While non-Indigenous soldiers were given plots of land or assistance to rebuild their lives, John was told he couldn’t claim land on the reserve because it was held in trust by the government. He faced indifference when he tried to secure a job; too often, potential employers saw only the colour of his skin and not the bravery he had shown.

Veteran support services often turned him away or provided minimal help. He’d hear, “This isn’t for you,” as if the uniform he had worn was a borrowed costume rather than the fabric of his sacrifice. The pain stung sharper than any wound he had sustained in battle. His fellow Indigenous veterans faced similar struggles, trying to reintegrate into a society that pushed them to the margins despite their shared sacrifice.

Yet, in the face of rejection, John did what his ancestors had done: he persevered. With a resolve that mirrored the steady drumbeat of his community’s ceremonies, he told stories to the youth on the reserve. He spoke not only of the war but of what it meant to stand up, to defend, even when the reward was little more than pride. The stories became lessons; they reminded the next generation that their worth was not tied to the recognition of others but to the spirit they carried.

John’s struggle was shared by thousands of Indigenous soldiers who faced discrimination both before and after their service. Their courage had helped shape Canada’s history, yet their sacrifice was met too often with silence and forgotten promises.

Despite this, John harbored no resentment. In his heart, there was still love for the land and its people. He knew that in the eyes of his children and grandchildren, he was a hero. And in time, the country would begin to see it too. His life, though marked by hardship, inspired change. Movements grew, voices rose, and stories like his began to be acknowledged.

Today, Canada stands with a more honest understanding of its past, recognizing the brave service of Indigenous soldiers like John. And while wounds from those years linger, there is a collective gratitude that echoes through ceremonies, monuments, and moments of remembrance. It is gratitude for those who fought despite the odds, who proved that even in a flawed system, courage and honour could shine brighter than prejudice.

John Standing Elk’s memory, along with those of many other Indigenous warriors, lives on—not only as a reminder of the past but as a beacon of resilience for the future.

[nicsplace]

Thinking of and praying for all the families this Memorial Day Weekend who have lost loved ones while serving our country. Memorial Day Weekend is a time to relax, spend time with family and friends, and enjoy the remaining freedoms that this country still offers. But most importantly it is about remembering and honoring the sacrifices of our brave men and women who never made it home. They made the ultimate sacrifice for a country they loved and wanted to protect. God bless the troops! Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends...John 15:13. We are a family who respects the military, especially those who have given the ultimate sacrifice, and their families. We are thankful for those who serve and sacrifice to keep us free. We honor them every day. "It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God such men lived." –General George S. Patton 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 #MemorialDayWeekend #RememberAndHonor #RememberTheirSacrifice #LestWeForget #Quotestagram #Quotes #RonaldReagan #Military #America #USA #FreedomIsntFree #Freedom #Sacrifice #Honor #GreaterLove #WeRemember #Remember https://www.instagram.com/p/CPdWWu7ldzC/?utm_medium=tumblr

[alexpmusic-blog]

No matter who you choose to vote for, remember, our forefathers paid for the right to pick their leaders with their own blood. Don't dishonor their sacrifice. Get out there and vote! Use your voice. #neverforget #remembertheirsacrifice #paidwithblood #usa #usa🇺🇸 #vote #vote2020 #ivoted #dontforgettovote (at Lakewood Ranch, Florida) https://www.instagram.com/p/CHIYcbzM75N/?igshid=6z5m13mh0a6p

[candy-lynn67]

My handsome son. Remember their sacrifice. Many thanks to @til_valhalla_project for honoring our veterans with this apparel. #tilvalhallaproject #tilvalhalla #remembertheirsacrifice #22aday #22toomany @robert__gibbs @nessielyn1223 https://www.instagram.com/p/ByQ2kILhp6t/?igshid=1alkn33jnzoiy

[pennywhistlejewels]

Happy Sunday! ♥️ Remember their sacrifice! ♥️🇺🇸 #memorialday #sacrifice #remembertheirsacrifice #grateful #thankful #blessed #happysunday #john1513 #pennywhistlejws https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx7MfhqBE0Z/?igshid=yq0b64zjpxy7

[trishnavision]

separate the Warrior from the war #veteransday #honorthewarrior #nativeamericanhistorymonth #remembertheirsacrifice #toallwhohaveserved #nativeamericanveterans #thankyouforyourservice https://www.instagram.com/p/BqGD8IyFs7Q/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=zvl2iewmxubr

[juanfdarce]

Land of the Free, Because of the Brave 🇺🇸 In Loving Memory Of Those Who Have Fallen 🇺🇸 MEMORIAL DAY 🇺🇸 #memorialday #miami #memorialdayweekend #miamidade #in #remembertheirsacrifice #army #poppies #poppy #navy #marines #airforce #coastguard #🇺🇸 #litproserv (at Litigation Process Servers LLC)

[trumpfeed]

via Twitter

[nicsplace]

There is something immeasurably profound about a military man and woman in uniform, choosing to make the sacrifice - to leave their newborn, to leave their family, to leave their spouse or loved ones behind in order to protect our freedoms and try to ensure freedom for others around the world. It is not perfect. War is ugly. It is raw. But, sadly, in the face of dictators and malevolent rulers who crush their countrymen under foot for the thrill of power and of the extremists who hate our way of life and wish to crush us under the weight of their malignant hatred, it is necessary. Not only to protect others, but to protect this land we call home. Our country asks great things from our service men and women. Sometimes what is asked for is the ultimate sacrifice. On this Memorial Day, and every other, I am proud to honor those who answered that call. I have friends and loved ones serving in the military. I have friends and loved ones who have lost those serving. When a soldier loses their life for the ideals which they hold dear, thinking of the ones back home which they are leaving behind and trying to protect, there should be no protest at their funerals. No slurs hurled at their memory of at their loved ones. No words of ignorance posted. In death there should be no partisanship. There should be a coming together and honoring of their sacrifice...regardless of how you feel about war. It is the honorable thing to do. It is the right thing to do. It is so very sad that for many in America today that Memorial Day is just another day to be off of work and BBQ and drink beer instead of being a day to remember those who have given the ultimate sacrifice of their lives so that they can have the right to have BBQ and beer. So while you go about your celebrations today, remember what and WHO this holiday is about... #MemorialDay #MemorialDayWeekend #RememberAndHonor #RememberTheirSacrifice #LestWeForget #Military #America #USA #FreedomIsntFree #Freedom #Sacrifice #Honor #GreaterLove #WeRemember #Remember https://www.instagram.com/p/CPib-WfFV02/?utm_medium=tumblr

[nicsplace]

I rarely get political on social media. I don't like the fighting it brings. I know where I stand. And I know exactly what I DON'T stand for. I don't need to argue with others who see things differently than me. We are all entitled to our beliefs. But this was beyond the pale! I don't care where you stand politically, but never disrespect those who died for our country and for the freedoms that we still enjoy! This absolutely disgusts me. She is a disgrace to the office which she holds! I would very much like to skip the need for this long weekend, @kamalaharris. This is what emotional voting gets you, people! No mention of the reason why we have this weekend and holiday. The American flag does not wave from the wind, it waves from the breath of the men and women who died fighting for it. Remember them. Tremendous their sacrifice. Honor it always. #MemorialDay #MemorialDayWeekend #RememberAndHonor #RememberTheirSacrifice #LestWeForget #Military #America #USA #FreedomIsntFree #Freedom #Sacrifice #SingleMom #SingleMomLife https://www.instagram.com/p/CPgg9LJlAU-/?utm_medium=tumblr

[trishnavision]

separate the Warrior from the war #veteransday #honorthewarrior #nativeamericanhistorymonth #remembertheirsacrifice #toallwhohaveserved #nativeamericanveterans #thankyouforyourservice