It is Memorial Day in the United States…a day in which we stop to honor those who gave their lives for our freedom and liberty.  While our country is far from perfect, I am so proud to be an American.  God has entrusted us with much and my continual prayer is that we will do the right thing with what He has entrusted.

Several times I have visited Arlington National Cemetery, America’s largest resting place for men and women in uniform who served our nation so gallantly.  I am always astounded by acre-after-acre of grave markers, representing over 400,000 who lost their lives on battlefields protecting our security and freedom, and I wonder: do we really understand the price of freedom?  It isn’t free.  It has cost us dearly.

Today, I join with every proud American who recognizes the ultimate sacrifice made by soldiers, airmen, Marines, sailors and Coast Guard personnel.  I also salute living veterans and those currently serving our country, as well as families past and present who have also given up a great deal as their loved ones serve.

It is because of those heroes that we live in the land of the free and the home of the brace.  To every person who has ever served, from the depths of my heart: Thank you!