Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin addressed the Americans on the occasion of Memorial Day, which is annually celebrated in the United States on the last Monday of May.. This day is dedicated to the memory of American military personnel who died in armed conflicts in which the United States has ever taken part..

The Secretary of Defense noted that today is the first Memorial Day that Americans celebrate after the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan and the end of the longest war in American history..

Austin recalled that today Americans commemorate 2,461 American soldiers who died in Afghanistan, Voice of America reports..

"

According to him, “when soldiers enter military service, their families bear all the hardships of their service with them.. And their self-sacrifice and dedication is what makes our military so strong.. It is our sacred duty to support the families of our military, especially those who have paid the most unimaginable price."

The head of the military department stressed:

“Our troops do not just protect our country; they defend the principles of our democracy and our constitution. After Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, the world once again saw the ability of ordinary citizens and soldiers to resist aggression and tyranny, and I hope that the inspiring resilience of the people of Ukraine will remind us all to never take our freedom and democracy for granted."

Lloyd Austin urged fellow citizens to " The head of the Pentagon stressed that "