Mindful Memorial Day Needs Volunteers for Virtual Event

Veteran-led group seeks help to honor every service member killed since 9/11

Arlington, VA – Unable to host their annual installation at Arlington National Cemetery over Memorial Day weekend, veteran-operated organization Mindful Memorial Foundation is seeking Americans to help honor the 7,000 service members killed in the line of duty since September 11, 2001 from the safety of their own homes.

For the past seven years, the Mindful Memorial Foundation has hung thousands of yellow ribbons from the rafters of Arlington National Cemetery – one for each American service member killed in the line of duty since 9/11. Over the course of Memorial weekend, the ribbons are cut down and the name of the warrior is read aloud before being hung around the neck of exhibit visitors. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s event has been moved online.

With 7,000 names to honor this year, the Mindful Memorial Foundation asks the American public to visit the Foundation’s website and request to honor a warrior. Visitors will be emailed the name of a fallen service member and details about their life. Visitors are asked to speak the soldier’s name aloud and remember them throughout the holiday weekend.

Mindful Memorial Foundation founder, Ben King, states, “Like those in the medical field and supply chain, service of God and country cannot take place from the comfort of home. As our nation bears witness to the incomprehensible sacrifices made by front-line medical and essential workers in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is timelier than ever that we pay homage to US service members, especially those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.”

King is hopeful the online event will gain participation from individuals who have been unable to make it to Arlington National Cemetery for past Mindful Memorial celebrations.

The Mindful Memorial Day Foundation was founded by Iraq war veteran and Purple Heart recipient, Ben King.