In Memory of All Those who Gave the Ultimate Sacrifice

Today is not a holiday, but a day of remembrance

My mother’s mother’s maiden name was Greene. It’s a storied name in the annals of American history. I am directly related to General Nathaniel Greene, a high ranking officer who served with honor in the American Revolution.

On my father’s side, I am a direct descendant of James Wilson, who signed both the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution, one of only six people to do so.

I grew up in Boston, the birthplace of the American revolution, with a father who, as an attorney, taught me early on about the history of the United States, the US Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and America’s special place in the world.

So I do not take today lightly. This day, I remember the many great American heroes who died to protect the freedoms which we take so lightly. As you may have noticed on this blog, I do not take our freedoms very lightly at all, as I recognize how unique they are. Neither do I take government overreach so lightly as so many hundreds of thousands of men and women have died protecting those very rights.

But I digress. I have spent the day remembering our heroes who gave the greatest sacrifice. I can think of no greater honor than to give your life to protect and serve the country you hold dear.

To die for such a noble cause is an end we should all aspire to, and not only remember, but revere. These men believed in something far greater than themselves, far greater than their families; something most Americans have but a tenuous grasp on. How freedom is so unique and fleeting. And that our safety exists on but the head of a pin, protected not by politicians, but by men who not only shed blood, but give their lives so that we may live without worry or fear.

The great American experiment has only survived for over 240 years through the sacrifice of hundreds of thousands of heroes who rather than flee in fear, stood up and ran towards the fight, for the cause of our freedom. They did this not for themselves, not for glory or to be remembered, but selflessly because they understood that America was a dream worthy of the ultimate sacrifice.

I am not going to any picnics today. I am not going to a family dinner. I am spending my day in remembrance of all of these men through the hundreds of years and dozens of wars come together as honored dead. Thousands of nameless men who I weep and give thanks for so that I can live and prosper today.

Without them, no doubt the experiment would be long gone, and I would probably not be here. Neither would you. The light of freedom would have long ago been extinguished. That is what we remember today. The incredible bravery of these men and women who made our lives possible. Nothing can ever repay their sacrifice but the least we can do is understand just how important each and every one was.

Undoubtedly, the future will call upon the American military to continue its duty, and I know all of its members stand ready to continue to protect our freedom and way of life.

To all of those who came before and all those in the future, from the very bottom of my heart:

Thank you and God Bless