Every year on Memorial Day, I pause to reflect on the extraordinary courage of the men and women who have worn the uniform of the United States. As an American-Israeli, this day carries deep meaning for me. I grew up in a country shaped by the bravery of those who fought for freedom in World War II, and today I raise my children in a nation where service and sacrifice are woven into daily life.
Memorial Day is not just a date on the calendar, but a reminder that the freedoms we enjoy—freedoms we often take for granted—were purchased by people who were willing to give everything. It is a day to honor those who never came home, and to remember the families whose lives were forever changed by their loss.
When I think of American sacrifice, my mind often returns to World War II. The world was drowning in darkness, and yet American soldiers crossed oceans to confront evil head-on. They liberated camps, saved lives, and helped restore hope to a shattered world. Their bravery is not just history. It is legacy. It is a blessing. It is something I thank God for every single day.
And in more recent years, American service members have continued to stand for what is right—fighting terrorism, protecting the innocent, and defending the values that both America and Israel hold dear. Their sacrifice has made the world safer for all of us.
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This year, Memorial Day feels especially personal. My daughter Meyora is currently serving in the IDF. I am so proud of her—proud of her strength, her conviction, and her willingness to protect our people. But as every military parent knows, pride and fear often walk hand in hand.
When your child puts on a uniform, you learn to live with a new kind of prayer. A prayer for safety. A prayer for courage. A prayer that God will bring them home.
And you also learn something else: not every parent’s child does.
This is the truth that binds American and Israeli families together. We know what it means to send our children to defend the values we cherish. We know what it means to wait for a phone call, to watch the news differently, to carry a quiet ache in the heart. And we know what it means to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
America and Israel are different countries, but our stories are deeply connected. Both nations were built on the belief that freedom is sacred. Both nations understand that evil must be confronted, not ignored. And both nations know that peace is not preserved by words alone, but by the courage of those willing to stand guard.
Both nations, also, have paid a heavy price for that freedom.
As an American-Israeli, I feel privileged to belong to two countries that strive sincerely to uphold justice, protect the vulnerable, and shine light into the world. The sacrifices of American soldiers have helped safeguard the very values that Israel also fights to defend.
Memorial Day is a day of remembrance, but it is also a day of resolve. It reminds us that courage is born from love—love for family, love for country, love for the ideals that make life worth living. It reminds us that fear does not have the final word. And it reminds us that the greatest heroes are often ordinary people who choose to do extraordinary things.
This year, as I pray for my daughter and for all who serve—American and Israeli—I also pray for the families who carry the weight of loss. May God comfort them. May He bless the memories of their loved ones. And may He strengthen all of us to live lives worthy of their sacrifice.
On this Memorial Day, may we honor the fallen not only with words, but with gratitude, humility, and a renewed commitment to the values they died to protect.
May their memories be a blessing, and may their courage continue to light our way.
Yael Eckstein is President and Global CEO of The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, one of the world’s largest religious charitable organizations, and is a respected Jewish leader, speaker, bestselling author, and award-winning podcast host and humanitarian. A 2025 ‘Pillars of Jerusalem’ award recipient for her exceptional contributions to Israel’s public diplomacy, and The Jerusalem Post’s 2023 Humanitarian of the Year, Yael is a Chicago-area native based in Israel with her husband and their four children.
