Dear Friends,

A significant part of what it means to be made in the image of God is to be able to love something so much that you’re willing to die for it.

This weekend, we honor those who loved us and our country enough to fight and die for both us and the nation. They, and their families, follow in a long tradition of men and women who saw all the greatness and exceptionalism of which our nation is capable, and in service to it they signed a blank check pledging everything up to and including their lives.

And by giving their lives in service to our great country, those we remember today ensured that we — and the founding truths that make America a singular beacon of liberty in the world — would also endure. Many of us will likely join our voices together in singing the National Anthem at some point over the next few days. When we do so, we are remembering these men and women and all the hope and possibilities their sacrifice represents. Their actions have made this “the home of the brave.” So, when we lift our voices together singing The Star-Spangled Banner, let us do so with the mindfulness that we carry forward and honor the memory of those who died in its shadow.

May God bless you and your family this Memorial Day. And may He continue to protect our country and the brave men and women who serve it.