Memorial Day affords an opportunity for serious reflection as we remember the sacrifices of the brave men and women who have served our nation honorably. They should always be remembered with respect and appreciation.
War is not glorious, nor is it desirable, but it is sometimes necessary to preserve the freedoms we enjoy. It has been said so often, but we will say it again: Freedom is not free. It always comes with a price, sometimes the ultimate price as our nation’s service men and women are killed in defense of our precious freedom and our way of life.
It is a fearful thing to send our best in harm’s way, knowing that not all will return. And yet these brave men and women have answered the call in the past, in the present, and, we are confident, will continue to do so in the future.
Speaking to graduates of the United States Military Academy at West Point on Saturday, President Obama stated, “Time and again, Americans have risen to meet and to shape moments of change. This is one of those moments — an era of economic transformation and individual empowerment; of ancient hatreds and new dangers; of emerging powers and new global challenges. And we’re going to need all of you to help meet these challenges. You’ve answered the call. You, and all who wear America’s uniform, remain the cornerstone of our national defense, the anchor of global security. And through a period when too many of our institutions have acted irresponsibly, the American military has set a standard of service and sacrifice that is as great as any in this nation’s history.”
The words of another chief executive come to mind, spoken as he dedicated the cemetery at Gettysburg during the Civil War:
“It is for us, the living, rather to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they have, thus far, so nobly carried on. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us — that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they here gave the last full measure of devotion — that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain; that this nation shall have a new birth of freedom; and that this government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”
We should never forget the sacrifices made by the brave men and women who have served and oftentimes died while serving our nation in times of war. This Memorial Day, take a moment and thank those who have served, those who are currently serving, and military family members.
Honor our flag and all that it stands for, pray for our troops, and pray for our nation’s political leaders to have the wisdom to choose our nation’s battles wisely.
