One hundred and fifty four years have passed since a drugstore owner in Waterloo, New York suggested that all businesses close for one day to honor, in a solemn and patriotic manner, the fallen soldiers who lost their lives during the Civil War—an idea that was well received. For one day, businesses closed, widows placed wildflowers on fresh graves, townspeople made wreaths and crosses to place upon the headstones, flags waved proudly at half staff. An American tradition was born.
Memorial Day brings with it something different for everyone—memories of fallen comrades, friends, sons, daughters, brothers and sisters. It brings with it a solemn state of mind and a burning desire to honor those who so proudly stood behind the ideals upon which this great country was founded and were willing to fight for what’s right.
I ask that today you not accept feelings of grief or affiliation without encompassing a feeling of honor, patriotism and pride.
Gen. George Patton once said during a Memorial Day service, “In my mind we came here to thank God that men like these lived rather than regret that they died.” I ask that today you embrace those words in their entirety.
As we stand together today on this day, we are reminded that the cost of freedom comes with a high price in human terms. And as we as a nation remember the lives lost, we celebrate the lives lived and are forever grateful.
Today, we celebrate the contributions of those who have paid the ultimate price in the name of freedom and peace. We celebrate those who served in conflict to protect our land, those who surrendered their dreams to preserve the hope of our nation and who fought to keep America free.
We need to recognize their service, respect their devotion to duty and mirror their devotion by doing whatever it takes to ensure the purpose for which they fought will forever be remembered.
Above all, in order to repay our debt to them, we, grateful citizens, must honor our obligation to preserve their memory, we must not only remember our fallen heroes—it is our obligation to teach our youth that nothing comes without cost and that sacrifices are meaningless without remembrance.
Our nation’s fallen were among the most patriotic of patriots. They loved their country, so they readily endured long periods of time on dangerous fallen lands. They cherished freedom, and above all they valued life, yet without hesitation bravely stood ready to give their own in the name of God and country.
As you celebrate the lives of America’s heroes, I ask that you not only pay tribute to them but also to their families. Though we cannot fully comprehend the sorrow that they carry, we must encourage the preservation of their spirit, dreams and sacrifices.
We stand united under the same sentinel of freedom that our fallen soldiers of the past so gallantly defended. With that, my hope is that we have a renewed sense of patriotism and hope because hope embodies what has made our nation great.
In the words of Gen. James A. Garfield, “They summed up and perfected, by one supreme act, the highest virtues of men and citizens. For love of country they accepted death, and thus resolved all doubts, and made immortal their patriotism and virtue.”
From each stone that lay at Arlington, each etching on the wall and each patriot that lay at rest overseas—each represents a sailor, airmen, soldier, marine and coast guardsmen who left behind a lasting legacy of freedom, sacrifice and virtue—for that we are forever indebted.
God bless you and God bless America.
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VFW: Remember the human price of freedom on Memorial Day - Wadena Pioneer Journal
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