A Memorial Day message |

By U.S. Sen. Angus King

(I-Maine)

    Throughout our history, Americans have joined together to honor the service and sacrifice of our men and women in uniform. This Memorial Day, let us continue that sacred ritual by paying tribute to those who gave their lives to preserve and protect this great Nation. For nearly 150 years, this day has meant giving voice to the fallen and rededicating ourselves to the principles for which they fought and died. In numerous wars over more than two centuries of our history, more than a million Americans have made the ultimate sacrifice while in service to our country. On Memorial Day, we memorialize their patriotism, sense of duty, and courage in the face of grave peril.

    As we honor those who gave their lives in battle, let us also not forget those veterans who served in times of peace, those who were held as prisoners of war, those who remain missing in action, those who survived the horrors of combat, and those who proudly serve in our Armed Forces today.  Each and every day, all around the world, our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coastguardsmen continue to answer our Nation’s call often in difficult places and under the most challenging conditions. They deserve our enduring gratitude.

    I also want to express my deep gratitude to the families of our fallen service members. Our military families faithfully support our troops in the field; they endure the burdens of long deployments, the weight of uncertainty, and too often the pain of terrible loss. They know more than anyone that freedom is not free. While we will never be able to fully repay the debt owed to our fallen heroes and their families, we can resolve to never forget the vision and mission for which they fought— denying the forces of terror and tyranny and keeping our Nation free and strong so that generations to come can live in liberty and fulfill the promise of a better future.

    In October 1866, our own General Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain shared this same sentiment during his dedication remarks at the Soldier’s Monument in Gorham. He stated, “they offered themselves willingly to death in a cause vital and dear to humanity; and what is more, a cause they comprehended as such, and looking at it, in all its bearings and its consequences, solemnly pledged to it all that they had and were.”

    We stand united in honoring our Armed Forces, and to those who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our Nation. May God bless you and may God bless the United States of America.