BLOG: Honoring Our Military on Memorial Day

On Memorial Day, we pause to honor those who have given their lives for our freedom, allowing us to live in the greatest, most exceptional nation that the world has ever known. 
 
This year, Memorial Day celebration takes on an even more personal meaning for me. A friend and West Point classmate of mine was killed this month in Kabul, Afghanistan along with 17 other great warriors. He was a decorated Army officer, a father of five children and grandfather. And, if your son or daughter was in going to be in harms way, you would have wanted him to be their leader. Please pray for each of these 18 soldiers and their families. 
 
We must honor their service. Let us take this weekend to be thankful for all that our soldiers, sailors, airman and Marines – and their families – continue to do to ensure that we are able to enjoy the liberty and freedom that our Founding Fathers intended.
 
Let us also recommit to completing their mission. We know that the fight against radical Islamic terrorism remains far from over and rogue nations around the world are on the move. In just this past month, North Korea committed an act of war by firing a torpedo and sinking a South Korean ship, a terrorist attacked NYC again, and our allies, Turkey and Brazil, cut a deal providing cover for the continued Iranian nuclear weapons program. Our nation’s leaders must show resolve and intellect that match that of our enemies. Our uniformed service members and those who support them deserve political leaders that are prepared to fight for American interests.
 
As a veteran myself, I promise you that my commitment to defending our nation is total. Just this week, my wife Susan and I met a single mother from Haysville. She has three children each of whom seeks to provide service to our country in the United States military. Her daughter has participated in JROTC program at her high school and the other two children entered service immediately following graduation. I thanked her for her commitment to our country and she responded by saying that “our country needs talented young people willing to make it great – my generation did, so will the next one.” I was humbled to be in this great mother’s presence. 
 
Let us remember those who have given all and pray for those who continue to lead our nation in these most challenging times.

-Mike