Today, we present the third installment of our weeklong tribute to the men and women that proudly serve this country. This Memorial Day reflection comes to us from Representative Sheila Harrington: Memorial Day is a special time for our entire nation. It is a time where communities gather together to formally recognize those brave men and women who have fought to ensure the safety of all American citizens.
More often than not, we tend to take our freedom for granted. But on Memorial Day of all days we should take a moment to step back and remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice; those who fought to give us a land where we can voice our opinions freely, a land where we can work to achieve any and all of our dreams. With Fort Devens being a part of the district that I represent, I urge individuals to visit the Fort Devens Museum to better understand the day to day lives of soldiers and their families as they train for war, but more importantly, to better understand the sacrifice made by so many to preserve our freedom.
John F. Kennedy once said, “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.”
This Memorial Day, I believe we as a Commonwealth and a nation should take these words to heart. Although this patriotic holiday has also become a day of family gatherings and backyard barbeques, we each need to make sure that we take the time to remember and appreciate the brave men and women who have served their country and lost their lives in the line of duty. As we formally acknowledge our fallen soldiers today, we should also remember that it is not just enough to recognize their efforts once a year. Let us be thankful and honor their memory and their courage every day of the year by never treating their sacrifices “casually”. Always will their memory be alive in our thoughts and prayers; and let us never forget those who have paid the ultimate price for our freedom.
