Fort Report: Memorial Day

I once saw a sign posted outside a soldier’s hospital room. He couldn’t have placed it there himself—his wounds were too severe. It said: “America – land of the free because of the brave.”  

Nations that are strong and secure do not look only toward the future. They also remember the past. Just as our nation’s cherished traditions form a foundation for progress, cultural memories anchor and encourage our vitality and growth. On Memorial Day we honor the legacy of so many brave Americans who sacrificed for us and our country. We pause to express gratitude for all those who have served, particularly those who gave their all to protect our treasured freedoms.

I was privileged to be asked to speak this Memorial Day at Wyuka Cemetery in Lincoln. After a solemn procession through the cemetery, we arrived at the gravesite of Union soldiers. As is common custom throughout many Nebraska communities, this ceremony emphasized not only those who have gone before, but also our living veterans. There was an outpouring of support for the veterans as each branch of service was recognized. In a particularly meaningful moment, Lincoln Girl Scout Troops laid a single red rose at the headstone of each soldier.   

Here are a few words that I offered in honor of our nation’s service members: 

The formal remembrance of our nation’s fallen heroes mixes feelings of both sorrow and pride. That a person would lay down his life for his friends—for another—is the noblest of human ideals. That we would unite in gratitude to reflect on the sacrifices of those who have gone before us is one of the greatest human expressions. 

Ever since there has been fighting and dying in war, there has been a calling in the human heart to memorialize the fallen heroes of battle. This is especially true in our nation borne in war, where the legacies of those who died defending our country are written on our hearts, and carried forward in time through the memorials—and through the gifts of liberty and responsibility, the core of our nation’s strength. In spite of our political divisions, in spite of the rancor and divisiveness that exist in our nation, we are still called to properly reflect about that which is noble and that which is good. And those who are brave.

If you are interested in reviewing the entire Memorial Day speech, I invite you to click here to watch a video from the ceremony. I hope you had a wonderful Memorial Day with your family. Thank you for caring about the memory of those who have served our nation.