On This Memorial Day, the Texas Longhorns Remember and Honor the Courage, Sacrifice, and Legacy of America’s Fallen Heroes

Today, the Texas Longhorns family joins millions across the nation in solemn remembrance. We pause to reflect, to honor, and to express our deepest gratitude to the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to the United States of America. Memorial Day is not simply a day for barbecues, road trips, or long weekends. It is a day set aside to remember the cost of freedom — a cost paid in full by those who laid down their lives for this country.

Throughout history, from the battlefields of the American Revolution to the deserts and mountains of the Middle East, generations of American service members have answered the call to defend our nation’s values, protect our people, and stand in the gap against tyranny and terror. Their courage, their resolve, and their willingness to sacrifice everything for a cause greater than themselves represent the best of America. Today, the University of Texas and the entire Longhorns community stand in reverence of that sacrifice.

The burnt orange and white may symbolize athletic excellence and academic prestige on campus, but on this day, we acknowledge a different kind of excellence — one that transcends statistics, scores, and championships. It is the excellence of character, of selflessness, of bravery in the face of overwhelming odds. This Memorial Day, as flags fly at half-staff and the national anthem echoes in stadiums, parks, and communities across the country, we remember those who can no longer stand beside us, cheer with us, or dream about tomorrow. They gave us that tomorrow.

In a world that moves faster every day — a world of endless updates, scrolling headlines, and fleeting moments — Memorial Day calls us to slow down. To reflect. To remember. We think of the thousands upon thousands of service members who never made it home. Sons and daughters. Brothers and sisters. Mothers and fathers. Friends and teammates. People with dreams, with families, with futures — all cut short so that others might live free.

For many within the Texas Longhorns community, this day carries a personal weight. Coaches with military family members. Student-athletes whose relatives served in conflicts overseas. Alumni who wore the uniform, and those who never came back. These stories are not found on stat sheets or team rosters, but they are written into the soul of our university. The sacrifices made by our fallen heroes are part of the reason why we enjoy the freedoms we do today — the freedom to pursue education, to compete, to celebrate, to live.

And so we remember. Not just with words, but with actions. The Longhorns family remains committed to honoring our fallen through support for veterans on campus, partnerships with local and national military organizations, and service projects that uphold the values these heroes died defending. We believe that remembrance is not a one-day affair — it is a way of living that shows continual respect and appreciation for those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Each time our teams take the field or the court, each time the “Eyes of Texas” rings out in unison, we carry with us not just the pride of our school, but the gratitude for those who gave us the opportunity to live in a free nation. That pride is magnified today. Because behind every celebration, every cheer, every championship, is a legacy of sacrifice that we must never forget.

We also acknowledge the profound loss that families across the country live with every day — the empty seat at the table, the voice missing from family calls, the embrace that no longer comes. Memorial Day is not just a day of national remembrance; it is a deeply personal one for so many. To the Gold Star families who have lost a loved one in service, we say this: you are not alone. Your loss is our loss. Your grief is shared by an entire nation, and your loved one’s name, courage, and service will never be forgotten.

On a campus that celebrates excellence, achievement, and leadership, we find inspiration in the stories of those who led in the most dangerous and demanding of conditions. Men and women who volunteered not knowing what the future would bring. People who gave up comfort, safety, and ultimately their lives so others might live in peace. That kind of courage is rare. That kind of sacrifice is sacred.

At the University of Texas, and especially within the Texas Longhorns community, we teach our students and athletes to aim high, to persevere, and to give their all. But Memorial Day reminds us of a different kind of greatness — the greatness of giving all, even life itself, for others. That is the truest form of service. And no amount of trophies or accolades can match the legacy left by our fallen heroes.

So, as the summer begins and the sounds of laughter, music, and celebration fill the air, we urge every Longhorn — student, alum, fan, or friend — to take a moment to remember. To teach your children about the significance of this day. To stand in silence for a fallen soldier you may never have met. To thank a veteran. To reflect not just on what we have, but on what was given for us to have it.

Let us also remember the enduring ideals these service members fought and died for: liberty, justice, equality, and unity. In a time when divisions may seem sharper than ever, Memorial Day reminds us that unity isn’t just a political talking point — it’s a lived reality on the battlefield. Soldiers don’t fight for party or platform; they fight for each other, and for the belief that freedom is worth defending. That spirit of unity, forged in hardship and sealed by sacrifice, is something all Americans — and all Longhorns — should strive to emulate.

The Texas Longhorns are more than a team or a university — we are a community. A community that cherishes the freedom to compete, to learn, to grow, and to dream. And that freedom was not free. It came at the highest possible price. So today, and every day, we say their names. We tell their stories. We remember them — not as faceless numbers in a history book, but as heroes whose courage still lights our path.

May their memories be eternal, and may our lives be a tribute to what they gave us. Let us live with purpose. Let us pursue greatness with humility. Let us honor them not just with our words, but with our actions.

This Memorial Day, the Texas Longhorns remember. We honor. And above all, we thank you.

To the fallen, to the families, and to all who have worn the uniform of this country: your sacrifice will never be forgotten. Your legacy lives on — in our hearts, in our traditions, and in every moment of freedom we are blessed to enjoy.

We remember. We honor. We thank you.