It is hard to capture the
legacy of these heroes with words. After all, their legacy continues growing
with every moment that we live under the blanket of freedom they fought
so valiantly to preserve. It is the legacy of the more than one million
soldiers whose lives ended too soon while fighting for freedom-from our
country's first patriots under George Washington, to the liberators of
Europe, to those who battled valiantly in the Pacific, and
The sacrifices of those who died go beyond their individual lives. The sacrifices they made touched others: friends, families, children, and millions of people in all parts of the world. It is a price they paid willingly because they cared for and loved this great country. We, the living, now bear the awesome responsibility of ensuring the heroes of our nation have not died in vain. We are not only the beneficiaries of their legacy, we are the trustees of their legacy. We must honor our fallen heroes by carrying on their firm belief that all Americans must always have the opportunity to live happily and be free to achieve their greatest potential. It is our duty to uphold the values that they gave their lives for and make sure those values are passed on to each generation. As we pay tribute to our war dead, let those of us living commit to protect the foundation of liberty, to teach the young the ennobling qualities of American ideals, to set aside personal interests for the common good, to protect and advance the noble cause of freedom. So, on Memorial Day, let
us reflect that it is only through continued vigilance that we guarantee
the survival of the democratic ideals that have been passed on to us. In
paying tribute to our veterans, we are in fact paying tribute to the great
heritage we all share. And we show the world that we have not forgotten
the sacrifices of ordinary citizens who exhibited extraordinary bravery
in responding to the call of duty.
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Report
to the People
