My father applied to serve his country in WWII, only to be declined after they noticed the gaping scars on his right arm from surgery at two. His brother, Jim, two years older, enlisted in the Air Force. Jim served as a waist gunner at the middle door of a B17 bomber. Serving numerous missions, he safely returned home after the war. My grandfather fought in WWI, and since my mother’s family arrived on the Mayflower in 1620, I had family in the American Revolution and the Civil War.
Memorial Day weekend serves as a U.S. holiday for citizens to honor and celebrate the service of the military, now and in the past, enabling us to remain free. Across our great nation, Americans reunite to mourn and remember the brave men and women who sacrificed their lives while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. Thank you for your service. And let us not forget it’s not a celebration but a day of solemn contemplation over the cost of freedom.
Listed below are a few meaningful quotes:
- “To be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.” — Nelson Mandela
- “We are forever indebted to those who have given their lives that we might be free.” — President Ronald Reagan
- “May we never forget our fallen comrades. Freedom isn't free.” - Sgt. Major Bill Paxton
- “It's better to fight for something in life than to die for nothing.” - Gen. George S. Patton
- “As we set today aside to honor and thank our veterans, let us be mindful that we should do this every day of the year and not just one.” - Beth Pennington
- “Those who have long enjoyed such privileges as we enjoy forget in time that men have died to win them.” - Franklin D. Roosevelt
- “Freedom makes a huge requirement of every human being. With freedom comes responsibility.” - Eleanor Roosevelt
Service, devotion, discipline, composure, integrity, respect, bravery, and teamwork are just a few of the characteristics of our military personnel. For many, enlisting in military services was a Godsend. I know several men who enlisted to escape the horrors at home or find purpose in their lives.
So, even though the holiday just passed, let us always remember the men and women who work to keep our country safe and often assist other countries in their fight against the aggression of totalitarian governments – as we are currently seeing in the war on Ukraine. And above all, let us continue to pray for peace in this world.
All my best,
Julie
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It is the greatest honor for me to thank a man or woman in uniform for their service. We should honor them every single day, we should remember why we live a free life in a country that offers it to everyone.