Happy Memorial Day

Many Americans count this weekend as the unofficial kickoff to summer. Most will enjoy grilling out, “super sales”, a day off work, and “beaches, boats, baseball, and BBQ”. While I will also take part in most if not all of those things with my friends and family, I hope you will join me in pausing this weekend to reflect on the true meaning of Memorial Day.  

Freedom isn’t free. It is important we honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice so that we can enjoy a fun weekend with our loved ones.  Take a moment and give thanks for everything we have and challenge yourself to become a more passionate person, whatever form that may take. 

While our country will make time to reflect on the lives of our fallen, I would also like to thank those I know who have or are still serving, or have family members serving or who are veterans. As important, I want thank each one of you for your service in whatever work you have committed yourself to....Your devotion touches and impresses those you serve every day.

In attempting to give you a heartfelt thanks for both, I cannot say it better than our 40th president, Ronald Reagan:

“Memorial Day is a time to take stock of the present, reflect on the past, and renew our commitment to the future….

Today, as in the past, there are problems that must be solved and challenges that must be met. We can tackle them with our full strength and creativity only because we are free to work them out in our own way. We owe this freedom of choice and action to those men and women in uniform who have served this nation and its interests in time of need. In particular, we are forever indebted to those who have given their lives that we might be free.

I don't have to tell you how fragile this precious gift of freedom is. Every time we hear, watch, or read the news, we are reminded that liberty is a rare commodity in this world.

This Memorial Day…, we honor those brave Americans who died in the service of their country. I think an ancient scholar put it well when he wrote: "Let us now praise famous men . . . All these were honored in their generation, and were the glory of their times. Their bodies are buried in peace; but their name liveth for evermore." As a tribute to their sacrifice, let us renew our resolve to remain strong enough to deter aggression, wise enough to preserve and protect our freedom, and thoughtful enough to promote lasting peace throughout the world.”

-      RONALD REAGAN

Be Safe! Have fun, and come back Tuesday ready to take on the world!