Remembering Our Heroes

As you know, Monday is Memorial Day, a time when we take a break from our regular routines and remember the brave men and women who keep us free.

Our country – and the world – is safer because we have troops who selflessly serve the cause of freedom.

They leave behind their family and friends to travel to distant lands and give freedom a foothold in far-off regions of the world. Ultimately, some leave their family and friends behind for good… one of our nation’s most serious sacrifices, and one that we do not take lightly.

It is a life of service and defined by long, lonely periods away from those loved the most.

It is a life filled with challenge, pitting the skill, training and courage of our soldiers against the full furies of those who would otherwise do us harm.

Yet, thankfully, in every generation, America has been blessed with men and women willing to face these difficulties in order to safeguard our national security and promote freedom.

Today is no exception. Despite the hardships, a new generation of service men and women – soldiers, Marines, sailors, airmen and cadets – are eagerly training to take their place on our nation’s front lines of freedom.

I want to express my deepest appreciation for our armed services and the sacrifices they make. On Monday, there will be a National Moment of Remembrance at 3 p.m., and I encourage everyone to participate.

On Sunday, my retired Marine Corps husband and I will also commemorate this important holiday by participating in Rolling Thunder, an annual motorcycle ride in support of our troops, veterans and POW/MIAs in Washington, D.C.

This Memorial Day, let us not forget to respectfully honor the memory of all those who have earned America’s gratitude for their extraordinary sacrifices for our nation and our freedoms.

-Secretary Peters

Comments

[Gary Rolf]

Secretary Peters, you are a class act. Thanks for the kind words remembering our Veterans who have provided the ultimate sacrifice.

[Fran Reilly]

Thank you for participating in Rolling Thunder. When I lived in the DC area, I rode many times. As a disabled former Naval Officer of the Viet Nam era, I believed it was the right thing to do. I now work at the WJHTC and I no longer have a bike plus it is too far for me to go anymore. Keep up the good work.

[Jeff Carroll]

I greatly appreciate your reminder that we need to remember our veterans. Your kind words do a veteran proud. However, Memorial Day is the day on which we honor those who died in service to their country. So this weekend, remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice in order that we may live in freedom.

[Marlon Bradshaw, Jr.]

With loved ones who has served in the past, and presently now. I say "God Bless" all of the brave individuals, and my prayers for their safe return has been shouted out.. Take care

[Tom Thomson]

Being a veteran of both Viet Nam (in the country) and Desert Storm (in a behind-the-lines supporting role), I am always amazed at how those who have never worn a military uniform are quick to praise and recognize those of us who have served, but only on Holidays such as Memorial Day and Veterans Day; but are then equally quick to turn their backs and forget about us when the "tides of war" turn against our Nation, and it becomes politically expedient to join the crowds that clamor against war, in general, and believe the only solution is to “bring our troops home”. They are usually the ones who also place blame on being in a war on the people who are serving in the military; who rant against even having a military and the money it “wastes”; who burn our beloved flag; who march to remove Reserve Office Training Course (ROTC) from our college campuses; and who even spit on, curse at, and assault anyone in uniform they can find. I assure you, there is no one who hates and loathes war more than a man or woman who wears the uniform and who must leave his/her family behind to go to war; who must live in often squalid conditions; who faces death; and who has no assurance of coming home alive to their spouse and children. We who have served are the ones who truly understand that, “freedom isn’t free.” It is the most expensive commodity on the face of the Earth; paid for with blood, sweat, and tears; not a few more dollars at a gasoline pump. To all veterans who read this “blog”, especially those with service disabilities, like me; enjoy your Memorial Day with your family and don’t be too upset because all you get out of it is an hour early off from work, or 50 cents off to get into a theme park for your kids to play. Remember His words, “Forgive them Father, they know not what they do.”

[Michael Matero]

The meaning of Memorial Day:
THE MYSTIC CORDS OF MEMORY, STRETCHING FROM EVERY BATTLEFIELD AND PATRIOT GRAVE TO EVERY LIVING HEART. . . . SHOULD SWELL INTO A MIGHTY CHORUS OF REMEMBRANCE, GRATITUDE AND REDEDICATION ON THIS SOLEMN OCCASIOM...
ABRAHAM LINCOLN

[Sophia Soler]

This Sunday my retired Army Master Sergant/2x Veteran, our twin children, and I will be at The Blue Angel U.S. Naval Flight Air Show in Jones Beach-Long Island, New York. Honor, Gratitude and Appreciation goes out to my husband along with all the Armed service men and women on Memorial Day and everyday. Sophia Soler, FAA ACR

[David L. Amsden]

What Memorial Day Means to Me

As a conscientious government employee and Vietnam Veteran, I too support and honor all of the men and women that have sacrificed so much for this great country and those that paid the ultimate price by giving their life to so bravely fight to protect and defend our most prized possession the Constitution of the United States of America.

This day reminds me of my first day joining the active Armed Forces back in 1968, later the Reserve Armed Forces in 1979, and later still when I first became a civilian government employee in 1989. One thing I will never forget is the oath I took at the beginning of each of these duties, by holding up my right hand and swearing to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States of America. We should each also remember and never forget for whom we ultimately work, which are all of the citizens of the United States.

This, I feel is a good time to reflect on that oath that each of us in government service have taken, whether in the military as an officer or enlisted person, or civil service as a government worker or an elected or appointed official. Each of us has taken the same oath for each of our specific jobs.

With this said I have to say that I am sadly disappointed in anyone that breaches this oath to protect and defend the Constitution, regardless of any possible reason or so called justification. The fathers of the Constitution took much time and effort to precisely construct this unique document which was designed not to be a document to restrict U.S citizens, but to protect all U.S. citizens from any possibility of misuse of power by those that we elect to represent us. The Constitution is a restriction imposed on our government leaders, which guarantees each American certain rights that may not be taken away from us. These rights were very carefully considered by the fathers of the Constitution and deemed to be so important that they took the time to ensure these basic rights were preserved, protected, and defended in our Constitution. In fact, they wrote the Constitution just after their great battle for our Independence from the British, and with the war and all of the ultimate sacrifices made by so many brave Americans fresh in mind, they clearly knew and intended for all of the Constitutional principles and rights to be protected not only during peace time, but during war as well. To lose even one of these basic rights is tantamount to losing any war. This great Constitution and its principles is the ultimate reason each of us has sworn an oath and we have even gone to various wars in which so many have already sacrificed their lives, and each day more give their lives and shed their blood to protect and defend. To lose any rights granted by the Constitution, for any reason, would render the basic reason for fighting a war to be nonexistent. For without each and every part of the Constitution in force, there would be no reason to fight to protect and defend a Constitution if it were striped of any of the precious rights it guarantees to the people.

Remember, this Memorial Day, that America without a complete intact Constitution would no longer be America. Whoever should suggest or takes any action to remove any part of our Constitutional rights would, in effect, not only be considered the enemy, but if they are Americans, they would be our worst enemies, as they would be true traitors participating it an act of treason against the American people and this great nation. How could anyone that has taken this oath ever consider removing or surrendering any Constitutional rights, regardless of the reason they may think or believe to be justified, after so many Americans have given their lives and blood to protect and defend it?

So, on this Memorial Day, along with remembering all of our brave fallen men and women; also, please take some time to remember our Constitution which they so bravely sacrificed themselves to protect and defended. This is a perfect time for everyone to read and become more familiar with our Constitution and rediscover what so many of these brave men and women of this great country sacrificed for when they took that sacred oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. There is a very obvious reason why the Constitution begins with the all capital letters, “WE THE PEOPLE,” because it was intended for the government to work for the “PEOPLE” and not for the people to work for the government. The “PEOPLE,” in reality are the real government and the Constitution is and shall always be there, because it is unconstitutional and an act of treason for anyone to pass any acts or laws contrary to the “PEOPLES” Constitution. That was the original intent and purpose of the fathers of the Constitution.

May everyone and their families have a wonderful and happy Memorial Day weekend!

[Purple Heart Car Donation]

What a great reminder to keep the real heroes in our thoughts and prayers. We must support our military and those who give everything to protect our freedoms.