“Memorial Day has traditionally been one of the most solemn and
patriotic days for Americans, and rightfully so. This is a day when
all Americans join together to remember the sacrifices of those who
answered their nation's call. The significance of this day is
sometimes confused or distorted. The true meaning of Memorial Day
becomes at times, distant or vague, lost to commercialism, or drowned
in forgetful indulgence. Sometimes, there is a failure to recognize
the magnitude of the deeds of the men and women who held true to the
notion that evil and tyranny must not prevail.

Nationally, it seems a sacred duty to keep the legacy of our nation's
patriots forever fresh in the memories of future generations. We are
bound by honor to do so. They fought and died to preserve this land of
hopes and dreams. Without the courage, valor and singleness of purpose
of our nation's veterans, the values that have always made it possible
for us to meet new challenges, and move forward as a nation, would
have been lost. The freedoms that so many Americans enjoy did not come
cheaply. They were paid for with the flesh and blood of American
servicemen and women, and with the tears of those whose lives were
changed forever by the loss of a loved one.

Memorial Day is a day of opportunity to give thanks for all that we
are blessed with. It should also be a day that we rededicate ourselves
to our country and to America's living veterans and their families in
memory of the sacrifices they, and others have made..

Veterans will gather to honor fallen comrades on this day. Their time
together may have been brief, but the bonds were deeply formed. Life
and feelings are intensified when there is sharing of hardship and
laughter; fear and loss. It is a responsibility with which we all are
charged -- to do our best to repay the debt that is owed to those who
have presented us with our most precious gift ... freedom.” (Jesse
Brown Secretary of Veterans Affairs)