Thank God for These Two Men Who Show Us How It's Done on Memorial Day

As we approached Memorial Day, we saw a rather ugly reaction from Democrat Graham Platner, who is running for the U.S. Senate in Maine, when he was approached by Fox News Digital. Platner was already in trouble for a slew of problematic comments. But when he was cornered by Fox, he would not apologize for a disgusting comment he reportedly made in a Reddit post in 2019, that a wounded American soldier "didn't deserve to live."

FIRST ON FOX: Democratic Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner dodges an apology when confronted over a deleted Reddit post where he said a Purple Heart recipient "didn’t deserve to live."

Fox News Digital asked him what he would say to offended voters — and whether he owed Pfc.… pic.twitter.com/eYyvKxKQ6c
— Fox News (@FoxNews) May 24, 2026

Graham Platner Was Already Disgusting — These Latest Unearthed Posts Make It Much Worse

That was a prime example of how not to behave.

Now, for a wonderful example of how to behave, from two men who helped to save the world.

Here are Iwo Jima veterans Billy Byrd (100) and Don Graves (101), who first met as 19-year-old Marines during World War II when they served in the 28th Marine Regiment. They were tasked with capturing Mount Suribachi, and they watched as their compatriots famously raised the American flag. What was the first thing they did when they got together again? They started talking trash.

Iwo Jima veterans Billy Byrd (100) and Don Graves (101) flew to Washington, D.C., where they will serve as Honorary Grand Marshals for the National Memorial Day Parade. 🇺🇸

The first thing they did when they saw each other? Started talking trash.

Some things never change. 🤣 pic.twitter.com/K2tOFvxC6o
— 𝕃𝕚𝕖𝕦𝕥𝕖𝕟𝕒𝕟𝕥 ℂ𝕠𝕝𝕠𝕟𝕖𝕝 ℙ 🪖 (@TheLtColUSMC) May 24, 2026

Don Graves immediately started busting on Byrd, "Get out of that chair," and teasing him about having his arms folded, before professing it was great to see him. Don said they were two of the only ones left after 80 years. He teased Billy, saying, "He looks like he's been through a battle right now." Billy smiled and waved his flag.

The two men are in Washington, D.C., to serve as honorary grand marshals of the National Memorial Day Parade, to remember and honor their comrades, as well as so many others like them who gave their lives in the service of this country.

Memorial Day: Remember All the Fallen

In Byrd and Graves, you can see their brethren who gave their lives, whom we honor, and some of what made the "Greatest Generation" great. We wouldn't be here today as we are, but for them. They fought, not knowing how it might end, not knowing what the cost would be. And because they did, because so many like them did over the 250 years of this nation, we have endured.

We will no doubt face many challenges ahead as a nation. Indeed, we face many now. But we see that light that men like Byrd, Graves, and their brethren laid down before us, and can use that to help light our way.

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