Their last full measure of devotion...

"It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain... ~ Abraham Lincoln, Gettysburg Address

Memorial Day is a time to remember and honor those who served and sacrificed their lives for our freedoms and liberties in this great nation, providing what Lincoln called "Their last full measure of devotion."

Memorial Day is a time to remember the fallen heroes throughout our nation’s history “who gave the last full measure of devotion” so that we can live free.

So this Memorial Day, May 25, 2020—when Americans throughout our country are told by state governments that they are not free to travel, worship in their churches, visit family members, assemble or commemorate Memorial Day by planting a flag on a fallen warriors gravestone—may we highly resolve that our noble dead did not die in vain.

Recall the famous words of Benjamin Franklin:

“Those who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.”

Freedom is never free. The price for our freedoms was paid for by the men and women we honor this Memorial Day. So, I encourage you and your family on this Memorial Day to take a moment to prayerfully remember those who made that ultimate sacrifice.

We salute all those who've paid the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedom and liberties on this hallowed day.

It is the soldier, not the reporter,

who has given us freedom of the press.

It is the soldier, not the poet,

who has given us freedom of speech.

It is the soldier, not the campus organizer

who has given us the freedom to demonstrate.

It is the soldier, not the lawyer,

who has given us the right to a fair trial.

It is the soldier, who salutes the flag,

who serves under the flag,

and whose coffin is draped by the flag,

who allows the protester to burn the flag.

~ Marine Chaplain Father Dennis Edward O’Brien