Larry Campbell served in the Army for 30 years from 1974 to 2004, including overseas deployments and a four-year assignment at the Pentagon. He now works with at-risk behaviors in Durham through the Thomas Mentor Leadership Academy.
Campbell said Memorial Day is both a personal and collective moment of remembrance, particularly for the friends he lost while working at the Pentagon during the Sept. 11 attacks.
"Well personally I think about the friends that I lost because when you think back about, you know, they have given their life for the freedoms that we have, and I'm still standing," Campbell said. "So to me, I take it personally that I'm living for them. I know what their lives would be like because I know the spirit that they work by and I want to be part of that."
Campbell said he recently spoke with the younger people in the mentorship program about the meaning of Memorial Day and the importance of remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
He said educating younger generations about the significance of the holiday is critical.
"The youth understand because there's nobody out there to teach them about these things," Campbell said. "The schools used to teach and talk about these things but they don't always do that as much now. But you got to make sure you share that with others. So whatever we do can be carried on into the future."
Campbell said he also wanted to recognize the families of fallen service members and honor those who served in every branch of the military.