COMMUNITY COMMENTARY:Uplift ideals soldiers protect

Memorial Day is the most solemn and patriotic day Americans observe. It is a day when we remember more than 1 million Americans who have died in battle since the Revolutionary War. It is a day when we put politics aside and come together to honor those brave members of the United States Armed Services who gave their lives to preserve the freedoms that we enjoy as Americans.

On Memorial Day, we remember that those who died did so defending a way of life worth dying for. They fought to ensure that the American principles of freedom, liberty, democracy, opportunity and prosperity could be enjoyed by generations to come. They did not fight for glory; they fought out of patriotism and a sense of duty to this country.

Patriotism alone is what inspired my children to attend the United States Air Force Academy and go on to serve our country — Donna, a former captain; Ethan, my son-in-law, a captain and F-22 pilot; and Chad, a major and F-16 pilot. On Memorial Day, I thank God for their safety and pray for those parents who have not been as lucky as my wife and I.

On Memorial Day, families and friends typically gather for barbecues and picnics, enjoying the freedoms won for us by those lost in service to our nation. It is easy to become distracted by our day off from work and school and forget the spirit and meaning of the day. It is important to remind ourselves and our children that first and foremost, Memorial Day is a day for solemn remembrance of our fallen service men and women.

This year, I observed the National Moment of Remembrance. Across the country, Americans paused at 3 p.m. on May 28 in a moment of silence and reflection to honor our fallen soldiers. Joining together in a national act of unity was a fitting tribute that honored the countless sacrifices of American soldiers past, present and future.

All too often, the graves of our fallen become neglected as the years go by and their family members pass on. Memorial Day was formerly known as “Decoration Day,” a day to decorate with flags and flowers the graves of those who made the ultimate sacrifice. This is a special way to remember and honor those who sacrificed themselves for our freedom, and a special way to teach our children that freedom isn’t free.

Memorial Day is also a fitting reminder of the importance of expressing our gratitude to current members of the United States Armed Services. While we honor more than a million fallen heroes on Memorial Day, there are more than a million of our best and brightest citizens who still commit themselves to protecting our country at all costs every single day. That commitment is worthy of our utmost respect, and no single day need be set aside to shake the hand of current service members or veterans and thank them for their service.

Several years ago, President Reagan best summed up our feelings about our fellow Americans lost in battle when he said, “We honor the brave Americans who paid the highest prices for their commitment of peace, freedom and justice. Our debt to them can be paid only by our own recommitment to preserving those same ideals. Peace, freedom and justice must be won again and again by each successive generation.”

Whenever we observe Memorial Day, let us each take President Reagan’s words to heart and resolve to pick up the torch of liberty and hold it high, never wavering in our defense of freedom at home and abroad.