Speaker honors fallen through storytelling
At the annual Memorial Day ceremony at Sun City, this year’s keynote speaker — Major Jay Lardizabal, U.S. Army, Retired — spoke about honoring those who gave their life for their country, not through recounting how they died, but through stories that honor their legacy.
He shared memories of several people he served with in the Army, telling stories of their passions, mischief, humor and thoughtfulness.
One of the people Mr. Lardizabal memorialized was Sergeant Johnny Perales, a combat medic. Mr. Lardizabal said Perales had a hard time with officers and usually wouldn’t give them the time of day. But thanks to Mr. Lardizabal’s medical training, they built a rapport that led to Perales coming to his office with medical questions, even though Lardizabal was an artillery expert.
“He was a great kid, and he was going to good places,” Mr. Ladizabal said. “But it was just funny that, I think everybody else in the battalion that was an officer, he wouldn’t give them the time of day, but he became like my protege.”
Mr. Lardizabal said we can bridge the sorrow of loss with the pride of service by offering meaningful tribute through remembering our loved ones’ courage and committing ourselves to peace.
“[We can also] support the families behind [the loss] not just with ceremonies, but with your presence, with your love and with listening to their story,” he said. “Most of all, I would ask that you live your lives in a way that is worthy of their sacrifice.”
Mr. Lardizabal spent nearly two and a half decades in the Army, most of them in the Special Forces Regiment. As a Green Beret noncommissioned officer, he served in Central and South America and Afghanistan. He also served in Iraq and Asia throughout his career.
He now works as an executive coach, financial consultant and certified member of the John Maxwell Leadership Team.
“Let’s be people who do not take freedom for granted,” Mr. Ladizabal said, closing his address. “Let’s be a nation of people that remember, a nation that honors, and a nation of people continue to work on forming that more perfect union.”