Memorial Day: Honoring the sacrifice of all who serve
Since being appointed in September 2008 by Gov. Schweitzer to serve as the 24th Adjutant General for the state of Montana, I have had the distinct honor and privilege of traveling around our great state to attend memorial services for many of Montana’s fallen heroes and to meet with their brave and grieving families.
Even in this most difficult moment, many of their families have expressed sentiments that their serviceman died serving a cause essential to creating a better world for our children and our grandchildren. I have witnessed people from all walks of life line the streets of our communities as our fallen warriors have traveled to their final resting place.
Most Montanan’s display their patriotism by stopping whatever they are doing and holding a hand over their heart or rendering a salute from the side of the road. They instinctively know this young man or woman’s sacrifice deserves their time and respect. Their expressions never fail to move me.
Whether or not such an event has taken place in your community, the loss of any young American in uniform — and a corresponding responsibility to their family — should be shared equally by all of our citizens.
As we pause on Memorial Day 2011 to honor those killed during our nation’s wars, I ask all Montanan’s also to remember and honor the sacrifice of those who have survived — our veterans, our wounded warriors, and the families of our fallen servicemen. As the force behind the force, our veterans and military families support and sustain our troops, care for our wounded warriors and survive our fallen.
Our service members and their families protect our nation with pride and without complaint. They are parents running their households and raising their children all alone while their spouses are deployed. They are kids working hard in school, helping out at home and being brave while Mom or Dad is serving far away. They are the veterans who have served our country so heroically on the battlefield and have so much more to contribute here at home. They are balancing caring for our wounded warriors with their own careers and responsibilities, and they are survivors who know all too well the high price our troops pay to defend our freedom. Our veterans and military families are proud, strong and resilient, but their service does come with sacrifice.
The history of the United States comprises countless acts of valor by more than one million Americans who have given their lives in an unbroken, distinguished line of service. In today’s wars, our servicemen and women contribute mightily. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have taken a great toll on our country. More than 6,000 members of our armed forces have given their lives, and as I write this, more than 650 citizen-soldiers and airmen from the National Guard have perished since 9/11.
Since before our nation was founded, America’s Armed Forces have stood for freedom and proudly maintained a bond of trust with the American people. We embrace our obligation to preserve and protect liberty at home and abroad and take pride in the unmatched legacy of our predecessors who did the same in places like Bunker Hill, Gettysburg, Normandy, Korea and Vietnam.
To all Montana’s servicemen and women, veterans and their families, I want to say thanks for your dedication and personal sacrifice. This Memorial Day, know that all Montanans recognize and appreciate your service and are indebted to you for securing our independence, preserving our liberties and protecting our way of life.