Memorial Day 2025 brought members of the Blinded Veterans Association (BVA) throughout the country to a remembrance of the heroism of those who made the ultimate sacrifice of their lives in defense of the nation’s freedoms and way of life. Many paid their respects privately while others participated in public events near the Nation’s Capital and in the Deep South.

At Arlington National Cemetery, only seven miles from BVA National Headquarters, National President Paul Mimms and newly appointed National Executive Director Dr. Vernon Humphrey represented BVA in the presentation of an organizational wreath to members of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, also known as “The Old Guard,” at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier immediately following the 157th Memorial Day Observance in the adjacent Memorial Amphitheater. The two were assisted by Lawrence Harrison and Michaun Harrison, no relation to one another but both members of the BVA Mid-Atlantic Regional Group who reside in Washington, DC, and Central Virginia, respectively.

Lawrence, guided by his pastor, Stan Wright, and Michaun marched with the BVA flag and the U.S. flag in the traditional “Parade of Colors” featuring Veterans Service Organization (VSO) flags and marchers. The procession was witnessed by some 5,000 seated in the Amphitheater and millions more via television and internet livestream. The procession, marching to the music of the “National Emblem March” played by The President’s Own United States Marine Band, signaled the start of the Annual Remembrance Ceremony.

Addressing the crowd were Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Vice President JD Vance, and President Donald J. Trump. Additional music was offered by the Marine Band and the United States Navy Band Sea Chanters.

“The cost was everything to them and to their families, and each of the service members who have made the supreme sacrifice for our nation have also left an unfillable void and an unbreakable silence in the lives of all who love them,” President Trump stated during his remarks. “For the families of the fallen, you feel the absence of your heroes every day.”

Trump’s speech touched on a similar theme found in a Memorial Day message from Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Doug Collins earlier in the weekend: “This Memorial Day and throughout the year, we at the Department of Veterans Affairs honor and remember the brave heroes who gave their lives in defense of our nation. Their sacrifices have helped make America the greatest place on Earth, and their legacies of courage and commitment inspire us to reach new heights.”

Paul, Vernon, Lawrence, and Michaun made sacrifices of their own during the weekend that typically signals the unofficial beginning of the summer season, often highlighted by picnics, barbecues, sports events, trips to the beach, and openings of local pools. In order to represent BVA, they all got up in the wee hours of the morning to arrive nearly four hours before the ceremony in heavy traffic and amid tight, inconvenient security. They remained for two additional hours to present the BVA wreath.

In Moncus Park in Lafayette, Louisiana, a handful of Louisiana/Mississippi Regional Group BVA members joined the Acadiana Veterans Alliance and several other Veterans Service Organizations in another remembrance ceremony.  Dignitaries who delivered tributes included Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry; Major General Thomas Friloux, Adjutant General of Louisiana; Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Luebbert, Rear Detachment Commander of the 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT), who also honored the Acadiana National Guard units with the IBCT who have been activated for duty in Eastern Europe and the Horn of Africa.

“There was also a touching talk by Gold Star Father Buddy Williamson, whose son was killed in 2009,” said Gary Schoelerman, one of the attendees from the regional group.

The ceremony was followed by a three-mile run/walk in the Park. 

“The motto of the day for me comes from General George S. Patton,” Gary said. “It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather, we should thank God that such men lived.”