The Power of Remembrance

Memorial Day calls us to honor those who gave their lives in service to our nation. Military Appreciation Month calls us to honor and support those still serving, those who have served, and their families, helping them build new futures.

These occasions invite moments of solemn gratitude. I want to say a sincere thank you to anyone whose life has been shaped by military service. I appreciate every member of the military community and their family members. My heart goes out to those families who lost loved ones in military service. Surely, many of you share my strong belief that we should remember the service and sacrifice given selflessly to our country. 

Even if we haven’t shared military experience ourselves, we can commemorate those who do. The power of remembrance is unifying.

Remembrance — and the feelings of grief, respect, comfort, and shared values it evokes — transcends ideologies, uniting us beyond political and cultural divides. Remembrance calls to mind our shared humanity. To remember is not merely to reflect; it is to gather, to honor, and to celebrate what connects us.

While attending a memorial service earlier this month, I witnessed once again, as I’m sure you have, how heartening it is to see many individuals from all walks of life come together to pay tribute to one beloved person. Together, we shared tears and laughter, because we shared affection for that singular individual, regardless of any differences. We shared in his loss, because we shared in his life. Not everyone has had military experience and not everyone has mourned the loss of a service member. But we can relate to sacrifice and grief. I have felt the experience of losing someone and know it to be among the most impactful moments in life. Often, more memorable than loss is the memory of the person we mourn.

Often unity is one of the gifts that comes from profound loss. Uniting with others in a moment of remembrance gives us hope for the future and assures us that we will be okay.

This month, at memorials, parades, and other gatherings across the country, Americans of all backgrounds stand shoulder to shoulder, remembering together. And often, something transformative happens: appreciation. We begin by honoring the fallen, and we leave with a deeper appreciation for the living. For their families. For their fellow service members. For one another. Each flag placed, each name read, each family comforted is a reminder that we are bound by something greater than ourselves.

Today, more than 1.3 million Americans serve in uniform. Millions more have served or supported a loved one who has. And with every life lost in service, we are reminded that remembrance is more than ceremony. It is an ethical act.

Remembrance and appreciation foster unity. These fibers form the fabric that connects us. The College is proud to convene individuals across generations, industries, and communities to foster shared learning and ethical practices. In the same way, financial services as a profession thrives when it welcomes people of all backgrounds.

In my experience, we are inclined to do more to serve those who have served in the military and their families. This is a personal and collective response sparked by gratitude.  

Unity is not only a patriotic ideal; it is a professional imperative. Simply put, it’s the right thing to do. To grow, to innovate, and to serve, our field must continue to include veterans, military spouses, and individuals from every walk of life. These are the leaders and changemakers who will carry forward the legacy of service in the next mission to benefit society.

As a profession built on trust, service, and impact, the financial services industry has a responsibility to lead with respect for military service members, veterans, and their families. But we shouldn’t stop there. So many current and future leaders who belong in financial services are also proud members of the military community. To those who are, I say, thank you. And to everyone else, let’s each take a moment to engage with someone whose life has been shaped by military service. Learn their story. Share our gratitude.

We grieve together. We remember together. We move forward together. And we are stronger together.

To support veterans and military families who are in career transition or preparing to take on their next mission in the financial services profession, please visit the American College Center for Military and Veterans Affairs. Together, we can turn remembrance into action.

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