Today we honor those who have given their lives for the sake of others.

They were men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice that we may have freedom in this land.

But there are many people, many nations that are free today because of the sacrifices of our American soldiers on and off the battlefield.

I am humbled to live in this country that has been faithful to meet the demands of the world’s crises. We have not turned our backs on the plight of the oppressed, or a deaf ear to suffering around the world.

We are not perfect, but we strive to be the best we can be, and that shows in all we do.

Benjamin Harrison once said,

“I have never been able to think of the day as one of mourning; I have never quite been able to feel that half-mast flags were appropriate on Decoration Day. I have rather felt that the flag should be at the peak, because those whose dying we commemorate rejoiced in seeing it where their valor placed it. We honor them in a joyous, thankful, triumphant commemoration of what they did.”

But we have a tendency to sometimes forget our freedom is bought with a price—a high price, the blood of our soldiers. We remember this day their heroism, and as we do, we recall the words of Arthur Ashe,

“True heroism is remarkably sober, very un-dramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost.”

May God be with us and bless our families as He watches over this great nation—One Nation Under God.