Beech Tree News Network

While Memorial Day is now behind us, it still provides an opportunity to reflect on the meaning of the day and carry that debt of gratitude throughout the year. I can’t help but take time this week to remember the sacrifices made by the brave men and women who paid the ultimate price for our freedom.

In a world battered by social agendas where people have begun to turn up their nose at public service, I believe that as a nation we have forgotten the true meaning of this holiday. Memorial Day is easily reduced to just another three-day weekend to spend outdoors with friends, family, and loved ones. While we are granted the chance to do these things, we must not forget why we have that chance.

Memorial Day is an opportunity to honor the sacrifice made by our American soldiers who died defending our rights as a nation. This holiday also grants us a time to pass along the values of service that we hold dear to the next generation while acknowledging the commitment of heroes from each corner of this country who set aside their own life so that we can live ours.

Though we only take one weekend a year to celebrate Memorial Day, I feel that one of the most important things we can do as citizens of this free and sovereign land is to constantly be in a state of reflection and gratitude for these sacrifices made on our behalf. There will never be enough gratitude to give to our military, but today and every day, we should tell a veteran “Thank you.” 

From our beginning, conflict has proven to be a price for our freedom. As our nation began, patriots banded together to fight on a new land to establish a life worth living. A life away from tyranny. A life that granted us liberty and the pursuit of happiness. From our own soil all those years ago, to the beaches of Normandy or even the Middle East, America has proven to be a force to be reckoned with, and a threat to our freedom is never taken lightly.

In his Memorial Day address at Arlington National Cemetery, President Ronald Reagan said, “The United States and the freedom for which it stands, the freedom for which they died, must endure, and prosper. Their lives remind us that freedom is not bought cheaply. It has a cost; it imposes a burden. And just as they whom we commemorate were willing to sacrifice, so too must we—in a less final, less heroic way—be willing to give of ourselves.”

I echo the sentiment of our 40th president. Let us take the time to reflect, renew, and find a way to give back to honor those that gave all. Since its inception, Memorial Day has been a time for Americans to stand as one and say, “We remember you, we are grateful for you, and we love you.” Let us continue that tradition this weekend and the days to come.

As we begin meeting through the interim to form the legislative agenda for 2024, I would like to hear from you regarding your interest in any of the issues before the Kentucky General Assembly. Feel free to reach out any time through the toll-free message line in Frankfort at 1-800-372-7181 or by email at [email protected]. If you would like to receive regular updates from my office, please consider sending me a request with your email to be added to our electronic mailing list. For more information, please visit the legislature’s website at legislature.ky.gov.