On Memorial Day, remember freedom must be defended

Memorial Day is a solemn holiday. It's a serious occasion for those who take time to celebrate and recognize its significance. Often led by veterans service organizations, Memorial Day ceremonies are set aside to honor more than 1 million men and women who lost their lives defending America since the Revolutionary War.

The brave military personnel who died for our freedom represent the diverse melting pot that is the United States of America. They were rich and poor, Black and white, male and female. They were from cities, farms and suburbs, and they came from every ethnicity, background, religious and political spectrum. They accepted the responsibility to defend the U.S. Constitution, embracing the spirit of freedom. They're the ones who wrote the proverbial blank check made payable to the USA for an amount of up to and including their lives. Theirs was a just cause

— a cause greater than themselves. We the living reap the benefits of their sacrifice.

It's our duty as American citizens to memorialize and honor their courage and sacrifice through remembrance and reflection. Their sacrifice is a reminder that freedom must be defended so it can be preserved. You can rest assured this sacrifice will always be painfully felt by the Gold Star families who will always mourn their loved ones. We all continue to mourn their loss, but most of all, we celebrate their lives for what provided for us.

Let's pledge to recommit ourselves to the cause of freedom, justice and democracy, so the legacy of our fallen heroes will live on for generations to come. We can thank veterans by showing respect and care for our military, veterans and families.

Please consider attending the Memorial Day services provided by American Legion Post 32 and VFW Post 2601 at 11 a.m. Monday at Mountain View Cemetery in Longmont.