In honor of Memorial Day, I wanted to take time to thank all of the brave Americans who have served our country so that we can enjoy the every day freedoms we sometimes are guilty of taking for granted. In particular and close to my heart are my family members who have so bravely served in our military, including my Grandpa Hammes, Grandpa Kurt, my Uncle Jim, my brother Kurt, and currently my nephew Patrick. I am so proud of them and the hundreds of thousands of others who step into the selfless role of protecting our country and our freedom.
“We must dare to be great; and we must realize that greatness is the fruit of toil and sacrifice and high courage.” —Theodore Roosevelt
“Honor to the Soldier, and Sailor everywhere, who bravely bears his country’s cause. Honor also to the citizen who cares for his brother in the field, and serves, as best he can, the same cause—honor to him, less only than to him, who braves, for the common good, the storms of heaven and the storms of battle.” —Abraham Lincoln
“Ceremonies are important. But our gratitude has to be more than visits to the troops and once-a-year Memorial Day ceremonies. We honor the dead best by treating the living well.” —Jennifer M. Granholm
