Memorial Day is one of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service.

It is a concept that the organizers and supporters of the nonprofit The Pointe du Hoc Foundation (www.pointeduhocfoundation.com) embrace.

An allusion to the historic mission of the 2^nd Ranger Battalion to secure Pointe du Hoc during the June of 1944 Normandy invasion, the organization recognizes and commemorates the heritage, contributions and sacrifices of all who have served - and given the last full measure - to Joint Base Lewis-McChord's 2^nd Ranger Battalion, 75^th Regiment.

To that end, the PDH embarked on the mission to raise $500,000 to build a memorial to honor the battalion's fallen brothers.

"The memorial puts their sacrifice in a different perspective," Master Sgt. Bryan Barker said. "But it is different than just a memory; it is a clear reminder of who we are."

The memorial will be build adjacent to the new, state-of-the-art 2^nd Battalion, 75^th Ranger Regiment headquarters at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

Since September 11, 2001, JBLM-based Rangers have remained a pivotal force in the War on Terror.  The unit is currently preparing for its 15^th deployment.

The design - understated but powerful in its appearance and message - incorporates the 2^nd Ranger Battalion unit scroll, the World War II era "Lozenge," (or orange diamond 2 unit insignia) and a bayonet.

At the tip of the bayonet will be the battalion's memorial obelisk, which bears the names of those killed in action.

To raise the final funds needed for the memorial, the foundation is hosting a Golf Scramble and Dinner Auction at the Oakbrook Golf Club June 7 and 8. 

"The memorial will be scared ground to all who have served here," Sgt. 1^st Class Kevin Nelson said. "Memorial Day comes once a year; this memorial will allow us to recognize our fallen heroes daily."

Construction on the memorial began this week, and work is expected to be completed by early July.

"The memorial will serve as a reminder of a very special group of men who serve in this battalion in a war that intends to preserve our national ideals," Lt. Col. David Hodne, the battalion's commander, said.

On the 40^th anniversary of the assault on Pointe du Hoc, President Ronald Reagan said the following:

"The men of Normandy had faith that what they were doing was right, faith that they fought for all humanity, faith that a just God would grant them mercy on the beachhead, or the next.

You all knew that some things are worth dying for ..."

The 40^th president's words capture simply the essence of Memorial Day and the 2^nd Ranger Battalion Memorial at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

The dinner on June 7 will begin with a social hour and silent auctions, followed by dinner and presentations by Point du Hoc members and Ranger Battalion leadership.

The golf scramble the following day will feature hole-in-one prizes and closest to the pin and longest drive awards.