Memorial Day – Take a moment to remember

The Memorial Day holiday is tomorrow, May 26, 2008. As most of our thoughts are concentrated on the coming election, the economy in general, and the price of gasoline (touching $4/gal in Florida), and how it affected our holiday plans, let us not forget the fine men and women that have served the rest of us…

I’ve had the privilege to meet many extraordinary men and women serving as airmen, sailors, and soldiers. Some serve because it’s the best job they can get, some serve because family members served, some serve because they love our country and what it represents, some serve simply because they feel it’s the right thing to do. But whatever the reason they serve… they serve so that we can go about our daily lives, praising the good things that happen to us, and complaining about the bad things that happen to us.

Take a moment to remember those men and women that are serving, or have served for all the rest of us.

I’d like to finish with a quote from the Commander, Pacific Air Forces, General Chandler, as posted on the Air Force News website (http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123099997).

Memorial Day: Remembering our heroes

Commentary by Gen. Howie Chandler
Commander, Pacific Air Forces

5/24/2008 - HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii (AFPN) – On this Memorial Day, we take time to remember the men and women who have selflessly given their lives – some more than 200 years ago, some just last week in the Middle East  – defending freedom.

When called upon to defend the rights and liberties of this nation, American Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines have responded courageously. For more than 233 years our military has protected our nation. Our world and our armed forces have changed over time, but certain elements of our armed forces remain constant; the selflessness, sacrifice and dedication to duty displayed by men and women in a United States military uniform.

From Bunker Hill to the Solomon Islands Campaign and Linebacker II to Iraqi Freedom, the can-do spirit of American servicemembers has been a part of our nation’s history. That spirit is alive today as Airmen defend our nation with courage, honor and dignity around the world.

In the past year, more than 1,200 brave Americans and hundreds of coalition military members have given their lives to foster freedom. Their sacrifice will not be forgotten and their achievements will forever be woven into the history of the United States.

Daniel Webster said, “Although no sculptured marble should rise to their memory, nor engraved stone bear record of their deeds, their remembrance will be as lasting as the land they honored.”

Our thoughts go out to all our great Americans standing freedom’s watch, as well as their families.