Take time to cherish America's heroes

Dear friends,

On Monday our nation observed Memorial Day. Many of us spent the long weekend with friends and family, enjoying the unofficial start of summer.

We should cherish this time.

We should also cherish the memory and heroism of our men and women in uniform who have given their lives defending the United States.

The freedoms we celebrate this weekend, and indeed every day, are made possible by those who wore the uniform and made the ultimate sacrifice for those freedoms.

Much has been written and said about Memorial Day. Perhaps President Ronald Reagan, commemorating Memorial Day in 1982 at Arlington National Cemetery put it best: “I have no illusions about what little I can add now to the silent testimony of those who gave their lives willingly for their country.

Words are even more feeble on this Memorial Day, for the sight before us is that of a strong and good nation that stands in silence and remembers those who were loved and who, in return, loved their countrymen enough to die for them.

Yet, we must try to honor them -- not for their sakes alone, but for our own. And if words cannot repay the debt we owe these men, surely with our actions we must strive to keep faith with them and with the vision that led them to battle and to final sacrifice.”

Those Americans who died in uniform have our gratitude. We will honor their memory by striving to keep our nation strong and free.