JOHN,

My Uncle Roy didn’t have to go to war.

He had a lot of potential and a college education to boot; his whole life was ahead of him. But he felt a sense of duty that only the bravest among us can relate to, and it was so profound that it inspired him to enlist in the Army.

He served during World War II and died in Normandy just two weeks after the D-Day invasion. Uncle Roy never got the chance to get married or start a family of his own in the country he loved. Instead, he gave his life for the freedoms we enjoy today—freedoms most people around the world can only dream of.

Growing up, I always noticed a tear in my mama’s eye whenever she heard the national anthem. I knew she was thinking of her big brother and the countless others who never made it home.

That's why Memorial Day is so personal for me.

Sure, it’s a day to enjoy a backyard barbeque with your family and friends. I truly believe brave folks like Uncle Roy, who made the ultimate sacrifice, would want us to do that.

But we also have an obligation to honor and remember their selfless service to our country.

May their memories inspire us to cherish every day on American soil and protect the timeless values they fought for.

Sincerely,

Tim Burchett