Memorial Day serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by the men and women of the U.S. military, and this year, Kentucky Wildcats head basketball coach Mark Pope took the time to honor those heroes in a powerful and personal way. Pope, alongside his wife Lee Anne and daughters Layla and Shay, spent Memorial Day at Arlington National Cemetery and Arlington Ridge Park in Virginia, paying respects to those who gave their lives for their country.
The Pope family visited the Marine Corps War Memorial, a towering tribute to the courage and sacrifice of service members, and posed for a photo in front of the iconic monument. The memorial famously features the image of six U.S. Marines raising the flag on Mount Suribachi during the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II. Among those immortalized in the statue is Private First Class Franklin Runyon Sousley, a Kentucky native from Hill Top and a graduate of Fleming County High School.
In a heartfelt social media post, Pope reflected on the meaning of the holiday and the profound bravery of Sousley, who was killed in combat just a month after raising the flag. “Proud, Humbled, Inspired, and GRATEFUL for these six marines including Kentucky’s own PFC Franklin R. Sousley,” Pope wrote. “So grateful for ALL the men and women that made the ultimate sacrifice, those who have served and currently serve our country.”
During their visit, Pope was recognized by a Kentucky fan, Craig Brunson, who shared a moment of connection with the coach at the cemetery. Brunson later posted about the encounter on social media, describing Pope as one of his current heroes and praising his tribute to fallen service members.
This touching display of gratitude and respect underscores Pope’s character as a leader both on and off the basketball court. Known for his passion and energy as the head coach of the Wildcats, Pope demonstrated the same fervor for honoring the legacy of America’s military heroes.
As Memorial Day comes to a close, Pope’s actions serve as a reminder of the day’s true purpose: to honor and remember the countless individuals who laid down their lives for freedom. His heartfelt tribute left a lasting impression on those who witnessed it and highlighted the deep ties between Kentucky and the legacy of service and sacrifice.
