Memorial Day Speech 2008

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Chris' Speech~ 

I’d like to welcome you all.

It is an honor to be speaking in front of you on Memorial Day.  Today is a day about more than just BBQ’s and missing work.  It is a day about remembering.

In 1868, Commander in Chief, John A Logan mandated this day be set aside to honor our fallen military comrades who gave everything so that we might be free from tyranny and oppression.  So important was their sacrifice that the United States maintains 24 permanent cemeteries on foreign soil as the final resting place of more than 124,000 US soldiers that did not come home.  Today, in eleven countries around the world, moments of silence will be held at these cemeteries and the graves will all be marked with an American flag.  We stand here now with friends and family and pause from our busy lives to offer them tribute.

Regarding the fallen soldiers after WWI, General John Pershing said, “Time shall not dim the glory of their deeds.”  When I say these words to myself, they echo the importance of the sacrifice these men and women made when they answered the call to duty and did not return home.  Past or present, the totality of what our veterans gave for us is hard to grasp.  These heroes’ sacrifice is just as important now as it ever has been.  We should also acknowledge the families of these brave men and women and their daily fight to continue on with their lives in the absence of their loved ones.  These soldiers and families are a true example for us today as well as for future generations.  We owe it to ourselves and those to come to continue to fight to make this world a better place to live, as the people we are here to remember have done for us. 

I recently had the privilege of attending the annual reunion of the 155^th Photo Reconnaissance Squadron.  This unit flew nighttime reconnaissance during WWII, including Normandy Beach and the Battle of the Bulge.  This year’s reunion was in remembrance of those soldiers killed in action during their tour of duty.  I was fortunate enough to talk to a pilot who flew many missions, including one of their limited low-altitude daytime missions, which were later cancelled due to their inherent danger. 

He said, if, when he arrives at the pearly gates, he is offered the opportunity to relive one part of his life, he would be hard pressed to not choose his time spent in the US Army.   He also commented that at the time, none of them realized they were doing anything special.  It was a job, and they did it.  These unselfish ideals reflect why we are all here today.   I had the opportunity to personally thank each of the veterans present at the reunion for their selfless acts and service to our country.  I would like to take this moment to thank those veterans that are present today, as well as those here in spirit.  It is your actions that have helped shape this country and provide us with the freedoms we so often take for granted.  

As Ronald Reagan said in an address to congress, “We must never forget that freedom is never really free.  It is the most costly thing in the world.  Freedom is never paid in a lump sum.  Installments come due every generation.  All any of us can do is offer the generations that follow a chance for freedom.”

To the veterans, to those currently serving, to the families, and to those of you who came here today to honor the fallen,  Thank you

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