Memorial Day 2017

On Monday, May 29th, we take a break from our busy lives to remember our greatest heroes, those who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect and preserve our freedom and liberty. This day, we pause as Americans to remember and give thanks.

Each year, Memorial Day fills me with emotion and pride. The Roswell Remembers event is hosted by my rotary club as well as many other patriotic events in Milton, Alpharetta, Woodstock and across the nation. Come join me and my family at Roswell City Hall, starting at 10:00am, for the largest ceremony in the southeast United States.

Attending a Memorial Day event is one way to honor our soldiers and nation. During the ceremony, I swell with pride when the bag pipers begin playing, and the national anthem is sung. During “Taps,” I hold back tears. I think of my family and friends who have served us in uniform. I pray for all those who made the ultimate sacrifice and their families who lost loved ones.

I am often reminded of a favorite quote this time of year, “A Soldier is someone who, at one point in their life, wrote a blank check made payable to the United States of America, for an amount up to and including their life.”  Many people cannot comprehend this type of bravery and sacrifice; yet, we all enjoy the freedom it brings. Please go out of your way to thank all of those who have served our country in uniform, and pray for those we’ve lost.

I love the following poem. It is an important reminder for all of us. May God bless the fallen and the United States of America.

“It is the Soldier”
By Charles M. Province

It is the Soldier, not the minister
Who has given us freedom of religion

It is the Soldier, not the reporter
Who has given us freedom of the press

It is the Soldier, not the poet
Who has given us freedom of speech

It is the Soldier, not the campus organizer
Who has given us freedom to protest

It is the Soldier, not the lawyer
Who has given us the right to a fair trial

It is the Soldier, not the politician
Who has given us the right to vote

It is the Soldier who salutes the flag
Who serves beneath the flag
And whose coffin is draped by the flag
Who allows the protester to burn the flag