As we kick off Easter weekend, I'd like to share a cherished memory I reflect on around this same time every year.
When I was a young boy, my dad and I got stuck behind a bus spouting thick, black smoke from its engine. I noticed that he started to reminisce, saying it reminded him of April 1, 1945—the best Easter Sunday he ever had.
On that day, amid the tumult of war, my dad and his fellow U.S. Marines landed on the heavily guarded shores of Okinawa, Japan. The fighting was tough, but this would turn out to be the last major clash of World War II, a momentous victory for the Allied forces.
All the blood, smoke, and strife made my father a resilient and patriotic man. He carried those lessons of war throughout his life, inspiring others with his unwavering dedication to service and country.
Though my dad is no longer with us, I reflect on this story every Easter weekend. It prompts me to pause and remember the countless men and women who have given their lives so we can live freely.
As we gather with loved ones this weekend, let’s all spare a moment to pray for our service members spending this Easter Sunday far from home in the name of freedom. There’s no doubt that we are forever indebted to them for the sacrifices they make to protect our nation.
I wish you all a blessed Easter with the people you love.
