Oregon Department Of Veterans’ Affairs Shares Memorial Day Message

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Memorial Day is a day when we stand united as one nation to pause and remember. We pause to honor and pay respects to those who gave their lives in service to this county, in service of freedom, in service of a more peaceful world. We remember their sacrifice, their valor, and their grace.

Since the Civil War, almost 6,000 Oregonians have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to this nation. On Memorial Day, we honor them and the more than 1.2 million service members who have given their lives nationwide.

Those who served in our nation’s Armed Forces come from a diverse tapestry of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Our heroes are as diverse as the country itself. Like so few things in the world today, the courage to give one’s life in service to one’s nation knows no boundaries or prejudice.

Men and women. Rich and poor. Educated and dropouts. Our nation’s fallen heroes are counted from every race, every color, every creed, every tribe and every corner of our great nation.

And on Memorial Day especially, we remember that those lost are not numbers or statistics. They are faces and names and voices that must never be forgotten. They are the loved ones who were left behind, and for whom the pain never goes away, even with the passage of time. And so, we also remember and honor the sacrifices of our Gold Star families. They, too, paid a tremendous price for the freedoms we now enjoy.

It’s been said that a great nation reveals itself not only by the citizens it produces, but by the citizens it honors and remembers. Today, we remember and honor our nation’s fallen heroes because they represent the very best our country has to offer. Their unwavering commitment to our nation’s greatest ideals reminds us to follow in their example, and to strive to live a life worthy of their sacrifice.

May you and your loved ones enjoy a safe, happy and meaningful Memorial Day holiday.

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