In 2005, Memorial Day became deeply personal for Terry Savage, when she learned her 23-year-old son, Alex, would not be returning home from Iraq.
Brian “Alex” Vaughn, was born in Louisiana, and served as a combat medic for the Army, before being shot and killed during the Iraq war.
“He only had four weeks left to go before he was coming home. And that’s what makes it so hard.” Savage said, “We were so close. But we don’t know the plans that the Lord has for us.”
Savage described Alex as someone who loved people and constantly made friends.
During her speech, she held up Alex’s journal from his time in the Army, which she keeps by her bedside every night.
“He’s still here, he’s still with me,” she said, “In everything that we do and I want people to know about him.”
Alex’s story even resonated with museum employees, including combat veteran Michael Bell, executive director, institute for the Study of War and Democracy.
“I had, you know, medics in my company that were, you know, remind me, to a t of Alex,” Bell said. “It really brings back a flood of emotions, but also admiration. Admiration for what they did.”
The tribute also featured performances by the Victory Belles and the American Legion Post 377 Band.
In addition, the museum highlighted the country’s efforts to search for the 72,000 World War II soldiers who remain missing.
READ MORE:World War II Museum Memorial Day tribute honors fallen soldiers and a mother’s loss
