Dear friends,
As we approach Memorial Day, many of us will take a long weekend to enjoy time with family, grill in the backyard, or maybe sneak away for a few days of rest. But at the heart of this national holiday lies something far deeper — a solemn reminder of the cost of freedom and the heroes who paid that price.
Memorial Day is not just a day off. It is a day of remembrance. A day to pause and honor the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces who gave their lives in service to our country. Since the Civil War, more than one million Americans have died in uniform — not just in battle, but in service, in training, in missions both seen and unseen. They are fathers and mothers, sons and daughters, neighbors, classmates, and friends. And they are patriots.
Originally known as Decoration Day, the observance began after the Civil War when Americans would gather at cemeteries to place flowers and flags on the graves of fallen soldiers. Today, we continue this tradition of reflection and gratitude, decorating resting places across the nation and holding ceremonies that ensure those who died in service are never forgotten.
Why does this matter today? Because freedom is never free. The rights we so often take for granted — to speak freely, to worship openly, to vote, to raise our families, to pursue our dreams — have been defended and protected by generations of Americans willing to lay down their lives for people they would never meet.
Regardless of your political beliefs, Memorial Day offers a unifying truth: the sacrifices made by our fallen bind us together as one nation. They remind us that our country, with all its imperfections and struggles, has produced countless individuals who loved it — and us — enough to die in its defense.
So how do we honor them?
* We remember them. Not just with parades or social media posts, but with stories, names, and moments of silence.
* We teach our children about their sacrifice, so it is never lost to time or complacency.
* We support the families they left behind, the Gold Star families who carry grief with grace and courage.
* We strive to be citizens worthy of their sacrifice — informed, engaged, respectful of our freedoms and responsibilities.
This Memorial Day, let us all reflect on the incredible blessing it is to live in a nation where so many were willing to stand in the gap for us. And if you're looking for a moment of quiet reflection, pause at 3:00 p.m. local time for the National Moment of Remembrance — a simple, nationwide act to honor those who gave all.
The poet Thomas Campbell once wrote, “The patriot's blood is the seed of freedom's tree.” This Memorial Day, may we water that tree with remembrance, honor, and renewed resolve to cherish and protect the liberty so many have died to preserve.
With gratitude and reverence,
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