The United States is a country divided — divided in so many ways, in so many places, that sometimes it seems the word “United” is as out of date as our nation’s once-cherished tradition of unquestioning patriotism.
We argue about everything, even the very definition of patriotism and the concept of what it means to be a patriot.
But there are times, even if only for a day or a moment, when we set aside division, push our disagreements into the background and stand together once again, united in an enduring sense of purpose and resolve.
Memorial Day is a such a day. such a moment. No matter what we think of the wars our country has fought, the causes we have defended or opposed, we remain steadfastly unified in honoring the courageous Americans who have fought and died for our county, whose pain and sacrifice have sustained the greatest nation on earth through every test of its solidarity, through every threat to its sovereignty, through every assault on its commitment to freedom and democracy.
There is no debating the patriotism of our military men and women.
They are the purest of patriots, serving their country in peace and war, in good times and bad, in any way they are asked to serve.
They are the shining symbols of freedom, not just to their fellow Americans but to freedom-loving peoples all across the globe.
Our armed forces are populated and sustained by men and women of every race and religion, every economic background, every political point of view – by men and women who bring to their service vastly divergent hopes, dreams and personal ambitions but one singular goal: to defend their country whenever and however they are called upon to do so.
Memorial Day is a time to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, but it’s even more than that: It’s a time to express our nation’s gratitude to those who continue to serve, a time to renew our commitment to those who have served and survived, often – too often – after suffering debilitating physical wounds or life-shattering emotional damage.
We don’t do enough for our veterans who have served us so bravely and unselfishly. As we pause on Memorial Day to remember our military men and women who have fought and died, we must not forget those who have fought and lived – those who need and deserve all the help and support a grateful nation can possibly provide.