The price paid for freedom in blood and treasure is high and painful. But the return is priceless: freedom to live and thrive and pursue happiness as we choose. We remember with great gratitude all those who served and gave their lives so that this great land could be free, and we pray for the families across the country who grieve for the loss of their dear one.

The Irish Brigade Memorial at Gettysburg

Here’s one of my favorite excerpt’s from the Gettysburg Address:

“The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.

It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. 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 — that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

Abraham Lincoln, 1809-1965. our 16th president of the United States.

Honor, courage, sacrifice. Wherever they rest, it’s sacred ground, and we remember them.