This Memorial Day, Remember Our Fallen Heroes

For many Americans, Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial beginning of summer.  With school terms nearing their end, pools opening, community parades, and families gathering for cookouts, it can be easy to take for granted the true significance of this day: honoring our fallen heroes.  The price of our freedom has been paid for by the sacrifices of so many who came before us – brave warriors who traveled far from home to give battle to America’s enemies and ultimately protect the freedom and prosperity of their families and future generations. 

This Memorial Day, we honor the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice: those who stormed the beaches of Normandy on D-Day to liberate Europe from the grip of Nazi Germany, or the young men who gave their lives in Korea and Vietnam to keep the evils of communism from spreading.  We honor the many sons, daughters, fathers, and mothers who died fighting in the War on Terror to ensure the horrors of 9/11 were never again repeated, like the 13 American soldiers killed in Afghanistan just two years ago at the Kabul airport.  And we honor the untold lives lost in special forces and intelligence missions around the globe – individuals who kept America safe without fanfare or acclaim, a remarkable sacrifice for which I gained an even greater appreciation during my time as CIA Director.  Our freedom and prosperity are only possible because of the true sacrifices paid by so many.

Forty years ago, I arrived at the United States Military Academy at West Point as a cadet, joined by amazing young men and women from around the country.  I then had the opportunity to serve my country in the U.S. Army, commanding a tank crew, cavalry platoon, and scout platoon.  Our mission was to patrol the Iron Curtain and be ever ready for an invasion that, thankfully, never came.  I am grateful for this formative experience, during which I built many deep bonds and friendships in my life. 

Throughout my time at West Point and in the U.S. Army, I served with people of every faith, race, social-economic class, and creed.  We were literally from all walks of life in America, but we shared something in common: a love and respect for our country, and a willingness to risk sacrificing all we had to keep it safe.  Ultimately, several friends forged during those days went to Afghanistan and Iraq but did not return to see their families and friends.  Today, I’m thinking of their ultimate sacrifice, praying for their families and loved ones, and cherishing their memory. 

I also remember those from my home state of Kansas whom I was privileged to represent in Congress, who gave their lives fighting for America.  Among those was Staff Sergeant Eric Nettleton – a young man from Wichita who died in Afghanistan just as I was being sworn in as a new Member of Congress.  Eric, and too many just like him, so bravely and selflessly sacrificed everything for our nation.  They will never be forgotten by my wife Susan and me.

Finally, we must remember our Gold Star families – wives, husbands, mothers, fathers, and children who have lost their loved ones in the line of duty.  For them, there is a hole now only partially filled by the memories of those they have lost.  Every one of us should do what we can to honor them.  Seek out friends and family who have lost loved ones.  Offer them a kind word and a loving hand. And visit the Gold Star Families website to consider giving what you can to help.  Memorial Day should be a day of unity and solidarity, and these are the better angels that unite us. 

As we celebrate Memorial Day together and honor our fallen heroes, set aside time to consider what the men and women we honor died to preserve: a nation free from tyranny, defined by its commitment to freedom, and held together by its faith in our founding principles.  The noble sacrifice of our soldiers to keep America safe is not just the reason we can gather for cookouts with our families this weekend – it’s why we can live in peace and freedom today and every day. 

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