Memorial Day 2016

Thank you to my new and cherished friend, Rafael Amadeus Hines, for this magnificent tribute to our Armed Forces. 

Mr. Hines begins…As an author of military-thrillers, despite having never served in the United States Armed Forces,

I feel extremely fortunate to have been surrounded by combat veterans for most of my life.

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Over the years I’ve had the privilege of hearing their jaw dropping firsthand accounts of battles and tactics, of belly laughing at their tales of the often hilarious and improbable moments that happen in war, and shedding tears when they occasionally talk about the men and women they’ve served with who never made it home.

I recognize what an honor it is to have these friendships and personal access to living legends who were actually reading my draft chapters while serving in Combat Outposts in Afghanistan. It has also made me keenly aware of the personal side of military life, and how much sacrifice these brave men and women make when they volunteer to serve in our Armed Forces.

My belief is that we enrich our own lives by giving to others (discussed in more detail on the Giving Page of my website http://www.rafaelhines.com/giving/) and this is especially true when it comes to those who are serving, or who have served. Supporting our troops is something we should all try to do on a daily basis, not just on Memorial Day.

Every year on May 30^th we honor the men and women of our armed forces who have made the ultimate sacrifice and given their lives in service to our great nation. So many have fallen and the numbers are staggering. More than 1,300,000 of our citizens have died in battle over the last 240 years, and sadly, many more names will be added to the rolls. On Memorial Day we honor these sons and daughters, brothers, sisters, mothers, and fathers who have died too young, and died violently protecting our freedoms.

How do you thank someone for putting themselves in harm’s way and being laid to rest with an American flag draped over their coffin?

Each of us must decide that for ourselves, but whether it’s through prayer, a donation, cooking and personally delivering a meal to a grieving family, silent reflection, or committing simple acts of kindness, every American should feel compelled to take some form of action. This year on Monday May 30^th the IAVA (Iraq Afghanistan Veterans Association) is calling for a pledge to Go Silent at 12:01PM EDT for 1 minute to honor the fallen. You can sign up on their website at www.iava.org as I have if you want to participate.

It is also important to remember that although Memorial Day is a tribute to those who have died in combat, the ravages of war continue for so many who have actually survived it. More than 22 veterans commit suicide every single day! So on your day off on Monday May 30^th think about the fallen as well as the still suffering men and women who will end their lives within those 24 hours. It’s a sobering thought on a day known for heavy drinking and barbeques, but we can all make a difference by raising awareness, and by helping those who really need it.

Make this Memorial Day special. Take action and get involved… And remember, honoring and helping others through simple acts of kindness will make you feel really good.

Thank you and may God bless and protect our troops.

Rafael Hines

Rafael Amadeus Hines is a native New Yorker with Panamanian, Jamaican, and Irish roots, who was born and raised on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. Dipping into his early Alphabet City memories, he loosely based many of the characters in his first novel, Bishop’s War, on the people he grew up with, and adapted many of his own experiences into the book as well. Rafael is a former Jazz club owner and restaurateur, and has worked in the financial and energy markets for over twenty years. On 9/11 he watched his office along with all the others in the Twin Towers come crashing down and, like many New Yorkers on that day, he anticipated follow up attacks to take place throughout the city. Years later he envisioned a lone citizen soldier preventing these attacks and the hero Sgt. John Bishop appeared on paper. Rafael is the father of three and still lives in the New York neighborhood where he grew up.

Mr. Hines is the author of Bishop’s War (Bishop Series Book 1). This fast-paced and action-packed suspense thriller introduces us to Special Forces Sergeant John Bishop, decorated war hero. After returning home from Afghanistan John’s hopes for a peaceful future are quickly shattered when he is catapulted back into the global war on terror through a succession of life-threatening events and corrupt intrigue.