Remembering

A few days ago, my grandpa's name was etched into the Veteran's wall at Resthaven Cemetery in West Des Moines, Iowa.  My mom had made arrangements to have his name added after he was buried earlier this month.  He was a veteran of World War II, a fighter pilot during the war.

Today is a day set aside to honor those who have served and died in battle for our country.

Our freedom is something we often take for granted.  The sacrifices made by those who fight to keep our country and its citizens safe are significant, often times heartbreaking.

To those who have fought and are fighting, thank you for your service. 

We treasure our freedom and we acknowledge with gratitude all of those whose authentic patriotism has inspired their devoted service in all of the branches of the military. 

Theirs was a commitment to a just and lasting peace. 

The devotion to duty, the tedious routine of daily service, the terrible separation caused by deployment, and the strain on military families –both today and yesterday--inspire our admiration. 

With prayers for those who have finished their earthly pilgrimage, we also reverence the service rendered by the men and women in uniform and their families today. 

We can offer no better monument to their memory than our pledge to strive earnestly and to engage faithfully in fruitful endeavors so that all people might enjoy their human rights and live in harmony.
--Archbishop Timothy Broglio, Archbishop of the Military Services, USA