Memorial Day

Established in 1868 as a day to honor the fallen soldiers of the just concluded Civil War, Memorial Day has grown to become a solemn recognition of all of our nation's war dead and the high price of our freedoms. There is the sense in which the dead, though silent, still speak -- the quality and character of their lives lingering long after they have gone.

On this special day, it is important for everyone to show remembrance to those people who willingly give of themselves in service to our country. It seems especially relevant today as we hear of American casualties across the sea in Iraq. Let me set the record straight. Not since World War II have the stakes been this great. This is a war for the future of civilization every bit as much as the war against German Nazism and Japanese Fascism was. If we had lost that war, the world would have devolved into barbarism. If we lose this one, the same will happen.

In recent years, America has turned more and more to our citizen soldiers in the National Guard to fill the gaps in our worldwide defense of liberty and freedom. Arizona Guardsmen are currently deployed in the Middle East and Arizona Guardsmen have given the supreme sacrifice in service to America recently in Iraq, Afghanistan and other foreign duty posts. Most of these Arizonans have left wives and children who are still grieving the loss of their father, husband and hero.

Necessary as it can be sometimes, war is a pernicious thing for all concerned. It robs us of our youth and brings untold suffering to families everywhere it touches. The spirit of patriotism exhibited by our young men and women who volunteer to serve in these perilous times is truly inspirational and, at the same time, truly humbling.

Their sacrifice also serves as a grim reminder that the cost of freedom, democracy and civil rights was not "paid in full" by the inspiration and sacrifices of our forefathers. The debt remains with us even today, and the costs are heavy. The world has become a hostile place, with violence that seems contrary to every value we hold true. Our enemies are not a sovereign nation we can negotiate with, or reasonably defend ourselves against. They represent an ideology we can scarcely understand, an ideology as destructive as it is self-defeating. Think about it. The final goals of terrorism have never been achieved. The plight of the oppressed they claim to represent only gets worse, year after year, decade after decade.

We want to also recognize those who served during World War II. Their generation is passing. It is important to show our appreciation of their collective sacrifice. Without their strong dedication and perseverance, the cause of freedom and sanity in the world would not have prevailed. We honor them today, along with all the others who wore the uniform of this country and this state.

Let us make sure that we have learned from them the lessons that they gave us: We must remember that we must be strong as well as merciful. We must hold onto our values and stay true to our heritage in the face of expediency. Arizonans are on the front line of the war against terrorism here in the Western Hemisphere and we must defend the very portals of democracy for all mankind. With God’s divine help, I believe that we are up to the task.

On this Memorial Day 2006, may God bless our men and women in the military, our veterans who gave us our liberty, and those who gave their lives in battles throughout history so that we could be free.

Sincerely,