Memorial Day May 25, 2020
I pledge to remember and honor all the men and women who have died while serving in the United States Military. Please join us in saluting each of our Nations Veterans that have “Given All” to insure the freedoms and principles of the United States of America!
American Heroes Network.com
Our nation’s greatest traditions have always started small. Long before there were parades and speeches, long before there were memorials and national cemeteries, Memorial Day began with a very simple tradition.
Families, and small communities, still reeling in the wake of the American Civil War, would visit the local graves of fallen service members, decorating them with flowers picked by their own hands.
This tradition eventually became formalized as a national holiday called Decoration Day, and more recently, Memorial Day. But it was always the tradition that really mattered — the simple act of pausing, honoring and remembering those brave individuals who put on a military uniform and died in defense of freedom and democracy.
And that is still the tradition that matters most today. That is the tradition that no virus or other disaster can take from us. It may change how we observe our traditions, but it cannot in itself end those traditions. And it does not, and cannot, change the enormity of the sacrifices that we honor and remember today.
In a time of great uncertainty and loss, we must remember that we have so much to be thankful for. We are thankful for the service of all of our veterans, from the most recent conflicts to World War II — the 75th anniversary of which we recognize this year. Thank you for fighting to keep our great nation safe and free.
We are grateful for our many veterans across the state of Oregon, who continues to serve and sacrifice in these unprecedented times. They are nurses and doctors and other health care workers; they are firefighters, police officers and first responders; they are mail carriers, grocery clerks and other essential workers, continuing to serve on the front lines of the critical response to COVID-19 and in so many other ways that help keep our society healthy, safe and strong.
And, we are forever grateful to those who paid the ultimate price in service to our country, all those who gave the last full measure of devotion. Our nation is stronger, and our future is brighter, because of them. We will never forget their service and sacrifice.
Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs
“A Prayer for our Veterans” provided by the American Legion.
Oh God, Our Heavenly Father,
You have blessed us with brave men and women who are willing to defend our freedom.
May your protection and grace surround them each day.
Let your healing hand be upon those who suffer wounds and injuries.
May those who have made the ultimate sacrifice rest forever in Your Holy Presence.
Comfort the families who mourn and are left to remember the precious lives of their loved ones.
Help us to honor and support them.
Let us ever be mindful of each sacrifice made on behalf of the American people by our sons, daughters, husbands, wives, mothers, fathers, and friends. Amen
This weekend pause for a minute and reflect about the meaning of Memorial Day which is to honor our fallen who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom with their lives.
And remember that we are all God’s children and he loves us all. Please be kind, take care of each other, and give thanks for our lives and our freedom. God Bless!
