Today, we remember the fallen soldiers who gave their lives defending our freedom.

There was a particularly poignant quote in a Clarion-Ledger article yesterday that I wanted to share:

“I’ll be honest, Memorial Day for me was always a vacation day … a time to go to the beach or cook out. It never had a lot of meaning to me,” says Rosmari Kruger, Clark’s mother who lives in Brandon. “And when I did think about it, I pictured gray-haired men being honored and remembered – not a 19-year-old kid with his whole life ahead of him. And certainly not my baby. So Memorial Day … it’s hit home.”

Our fallen veterans come in all shapes, sizes, ethnicities, backgrounds, political persuasions, religious affiliations and personalities. But one thing they share — which we all share better on days like this than other days — is being American.

We salute those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. Thank you.