Dear Friend,

On Memorial Day, we pause to honor and express our gratitude for those who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our nation in the military. We also extend our thanks and support to their families who continue to bear the weight of their loss each and every day.

This day has special meaning for me and my family. Were it not for the courage and sacrifice of American troops, I would not be here today. It was the U.S. Army—young men wearing the American flag on their sleeve and risking their lives for the freedom of others thousands of miles from home—that liberated my grandmother and my mom from a Nazi concentration camp. Their bravery saved their lives and restored their freedom.

For those who served in combat, they have either laid down their own lives or, most likely, lost friends and comrades who did. We owe a tremendous debt to them and their families. This obligation was powerfully articulated by Abraham Lincoln when he reminded us of the imperative to “care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow, and his orphan.” Lincoln’s words ring true today as a reminder of our permanent responsibility to those heroes, their loved ones, and those who have returned from service physically injured or struggling with mental wounds that remain.

That’s why, at this moment, we must stand up for veterans and protect the services they rely on. We must resist any and all efforts to cut veterans’ benefits, reduce critical services, or diminish essential VA hospitals. We must support those who return with the trauma and scars from their service, ensuring they receive the care and resources they deserve.

And we can honor their legacy by fostering the uplifting spirit of service that so many veterans experience, encouraging the next generation to find meaning in serving others and building bonds with those who do so with them.

Thank you for honoring those who gave their lives and reflecting on how we carry forward their legacy. May we remember their sacrifice and work together to uphold the ideals they fought to protect.

Phil