Take a moment and honor those who have protected us by their ultimate sacrifice because “they gave their todays so they we could enjoy our tomorrows.”

By KEVIN DEVLIN

This upcoming weekend – the Memorial Day weekend – marks the unofficial start of another summer. People will be heading to Cape Cod or up to Maine, Vermont or New Hampshire, to enjoy the scenery, beaches and barbecues. But Memorial Day signifies much more than this. It’s a time of reflection and gratitude. Freedom isn’t easy to preserve. Many men and women throughout our history had fought and died in the service of their country. Fought in defense of democracy, protected us from harm, and unselfishly paid the ultimate sacrifice.

On Memorial Day we honor the men and women who died while serving in our armed forces. They deserve to be remembered for their heroism on the battlefields as they gave their lives to preserve our freedom. The practice of placing flowers on the graves of fallen soldiers is not only done in remembrance of those men and women who served in our armed forces, but also to honor the freedom they preserved for all Americans.

So pause and take a moment to remember and honor all those who served and paid the ultimate sacrifice. We owe them this solemn moment of remembrance.

Here are some quotes to reflect upon as we silently pause to pay our respects to our fallen heroes:

“Although no sculptured marble should rise to their memory, nor engraved stone bear record of their deeds, yet will their remembrance be as lasting as the land they honored.” (Daniel Webster)

“Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude. America will never forget their sacrifices.” (Harry S. Truman)

“Are they dead yet speak louder than we can speak, and a more universal language? Are they dead that yet they act? Are they dead that yet they move upon society and inspire the people with nobler motives and more heroic patriotism?” (Henry Ward Beecher)

“And they who for their country die shall fill an honored grave, for glory lights the soldier’s tomb, and beauty weeps the brave.” (Joseph Drake)

“Let no vandalism of avarice or neglect, no ravages of time, testify to the present or to the coming generations, that we have forgotten, as a people, the cost of a free and undivided Republic.” (John A. Logan)

“A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.” (Joseph Campbell)

“The bravest are surely those who have the clearest vision of what is before them, glory and danger alike, and yet notwithstanding, go out and meet it.” (Thucydides)

“They are dead; but they live in each Patriot’s breast, And their names are engraved on honor’s bright crest.” (Henry Wadsworth Longfellow)

“Valor is stability, not of legs and arms, but of courage and the soul.” (Michel de Montaigne)

“That’s what it takes to be a hero, a little gem of innocence inside you that makes you want to believe that there still exists a right and wrong, and that decency will somehow triumph in the end.” (Lise Hand)

“For love of country, they accepted death.” (James A. Garfield)

“The price of fredom is eternal vigilance.” (Thomas Jefferson)

“These fallen heroes represent the character of a nation who has a long history of patriotism and honor-and a nation who has fought many battles to keep our country free from threats of terror.” (Michael N. Castle)

“Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are often stiffened.” (Billy Graham)