Memorial Day 2007

Friends and Brothers,

A special thank you to Colonel Dingeman for his words and reminder of the importance of this special day.

Veteran's Day in November is the time when we honor all veterans but Memorial Day honors all those who have fallen beside us and for us in our nation's struggles around the world.

I have on the wall above my desk a quote I copied from the top of Soldier Field in Chicago--"I SWEAR TO KEEP THE DEAD UPON MY MIND. DISDAIN FOR ALL TIME TO BE OVERGLAD ANOND SPRING FLOWERS, UNDER SUMMER TREES, BY CHILLING AUTUMN WATERS, IN THE FROSTS OF SUPERCILIOUS WINTER- -ALL MY DAYS I'LL HAVE AS MENTORS THOSE REPROVING GHOSTS". I keep that reminder so I never for one moment forget how much those soldiers who have gone before us sacrificed to keep us free and able to freely enjoy our lives.

Now another conflict demands our soldiers to fight to protect those same freedoms and yes, again to sacrifice, and what they give we can never repay or thank enough. We pray for our sisters and brothers in harms way and we promise to honor the sacred trust they offer us through their service.

THUS BE IT EVER WHEN FREE MEN SHALL STAND BETWEEN THEIR LOV'D HOME AND WARS DESOLATION; BLEST WITH VICTORY AND PEACE, MAY OUR HEAVEN RESCUED LAND PRAISE THE POWER THAT HATH MADE AND PRESERVED US A NATION1 THEN CONQUER WE MUST, WHEN OUR CAUSE IT IS JUST, AND THIS BE OUR MOTTO-IN GOD IS OUR TRUST, AND THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER IN TRIUMPH SHALL WAVE O'ER THE LAND OF THE FREE AND THE HOME OF THE BRAVE! That is the last verse of our National Anthem and that too is on the wall above my desk as a reminder of why we all serve.

As you tend graves, march in parades, put out your flags or pick up a weapon in our nations defense on Memorial Day remember how much our soldiers have given and are continuing to give for freedom and say a prayer of thanks.

Thank you all for what you have done and are doing, and God Bless You!