Every year, Americans observe Memorial Day, a day that honors the men and women who answered the call to military service - and made the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of their country. Over the past 226 years, more than 1.4 million American patriots lost their lives to keep our nation free.

Throughout the world, America is known as the land of liberty. Sometimes it's easy to forget that we live in "the land of the free" because America also is "the home of the brave." I have the highest regard for the millions of brave men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces.

This Memorial Day, I encourage you to take a few moments to pay tribute to the men and women who gave their lives in service to our country - and helped preserve and defend the freedom that we have today.

Mel Martinez
Secretary

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Memorial Day is an appropriate time to direct attention to the Department's special Veterans' Resource Center. HUDVET was created at the request of congressionally chartered veterans' organizations, and serves as a unique source of information. In cooperation with both Veterans Service Organizations and Veterans Advocacy Organizations, it produces a Resource Directory and maintains a web site . The directory and the website provide an easy-to-use breakout of the groups and services available to veterans on a state-by-state basis. Both were designed to help veterans, current military members and their families make the best use of HUD's programs and services and become more deeply involved in building their communities.

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In honor of America's veterans who gave their lives for their country, and in particular American Prisoners of War (POWs) and those Missing in Action (MIAs), Secretary Martinez will hold a special flag raising ceremony - "You will not be forgotten" -- on Tuesday, May 29th at 11 AM on HUD's 7th Street plaza. Please join Secretary Martinez in memory of these heroic men and women.