Today we pause to remember and honor the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. Memorial Day isn’t just a long weekend or the start of summer – it’s a solemn day of reflection, gratitude and honor for those who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedoms.

As President Ronald Reagan eloquently stated at Arlington National Cemetery on May 31, 1982:

The United States and the freedom for which it stands, the freedom for which they died, must endure and prosper. Their lives remind us that freedom is not bought cheaply. It has a cost; it imposes a burden. And just as they whom we commemorate were willing to sacrifice, so too must we – in a less final, less heroic way – be willing to give of ourselves.

These words remind us that the freedoms we enjoy today were secured through the courage and sacrifice of those who came before us.

We also recognize the deep and lasting sacrifice borne by Gold Star families, whose pain is a reminder of the high cost of liberty. Your loved ones are not forgotten, and neither are you.

To all who have served, and to those who continue to serve, Thank You! We honor your courage, dedication and your legacy.