A Memorial Day Message

 If we were to call the roll today it would rightly begin on March 5, 1770, with the name Crispus Attucks, and continue for just over 240 years.  Some of those listed are buried in places known,  some lost to never be found and some are Known but to God.  Today we honor all with a wave of the flag, a thought and maybe a silent tear.

There are those like Cpl. Clayton L. Lick, U.S. Army, who received a Silver Star from General John J. "Blackjack" Pershing for his bravery in "The Great War" and survived the war to return home but was wounded so badly that he never played professional baseball again.  And Major Anthony R. Bellamy who died on the field of battle in Vietnam.  And MGySgt. Ole R. Woods who survived WWII and Korea only to be killed when the jet he was testing blew up in the sky over southern Virginia in 1953.

There were those who wore the Blue and the Gray who fought at places with familiar names. They died in battle charging shoulder to shoulder with their brothers, against their brothers.  There were those who froze at Valley Forge yet trained and fought at Morristown under General Washington to run the British Army from the field for the first time.  There were those who helped protect the West and died at Little Big Horn, and those who Remembered the Alamo.

And there were those who fell in the heat of Iraq and the cold of Afghanistan who now sleep among other heroes from every war in gardens of stone from Arlington to Ft. Rosecrans.  The freedom that they cherished lives today because of their sacrifice in places far and near.  Let us not forget them even though we don't know their names.  They all have this in common:  None wanted to be a hero and all wanted to go home.  And when the time came they simply answered the call.

When you think about the sacrifices that were made, one day of remembrance is not too much to ask.

Thank you, my fellow veterans.  Tonight we'll raise a glass to those who didn't come home.  May they rest in peace.