Dear Families of America's Fallen:
I would like to express my deepest sympathy for the loss of your loved ones who died in service to our country. As the Director of the White House Commission on Remembrance, I am pleased to invite you to the 4th Annual Time of Remembrance Ceremony honoring your loved ones and all our brave men and women who died in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. This includes those brave men and women who returned from OEF and OIF and died from their wounds or suicide.
The White House Commission on Remembrance was established in 2000 by the Congress of the United States to honor the fallen and their families. The Time of Remembrance Ceremony was initiated by The Commission in 2006 and it continues to sponsor this national tribute annually. The Commission also created the Gold Medal of Remembrance for children of our fallen in OEF and OIF. Its mission includes uniting our country in the National Moment of Remembrance at 3 P.M. on Memorial Day.
Nothing can be said to erase the pain or ease the burden of your grief. We celebrate, however, the magnificent legacy of love of our country, family, friends, and freedom your loved ones left to us. We hope that this remembrance ceremony will help you connect with other families who, as you, gave their hearts to America.
Sincerely,
Carmella LaSpada
Director, Commission on Remembrance