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Freedom Isn’t Free
The Republican Party of Orange County regularly solicits the views and news of the state and federal delegation. Please read this week's Op-Ed by California State Assemblyman Jim Silva
Memorial Day is the most solemn and patriotic day Americans observe. It is a day when we remember over one million Americans who have died in battle since the Revolutionary War. It is day when we put politics aside and come together to honor those brave members of the United States Armed Services who gave their lives to preserve the freedoms that we enjoy as Americans.
On Memorial Day, we remember that those who died did so defending a way of life worth dying for. They fought to ensure that the American principles of freedom, liberty, democracy, opportunity and prosperity could be enjoyed by generations to come. They did not fight for glory; they fought out of patriotism and a sense of duty to this country.
Patriotism alone is what inspired my children to attend the United States Air Force Academy and go on to serve our country—Donna, a former captain; Ethan, my son-in-law, a Captain and F-22 pilot; and Chad, a Major and F-16 pilot. On Memorial Day, I thank God for their safety and pray for those parents who have not been as lucky as my wife and me.
On Memorial Day, families and friends will gather for barbeques and picnics, enjoying the freedoms won for us by those lost in service to our nation. It is easy to become distracted by our day off from work and school and forget the spirit and meaning of the day. It is important to remind ourselves and our children that first and foremost, Memorial Day is a day for solemn remembrance of our fallen service men and women.
This year, I encourage you and your family to join me in observing the National Moment of Remembrance. Across the country, Americans will pause at 3 p.m. on May 28th in a moment of silence and reflection to honor our fallen soldiers. Joining together in a national act of unity is a fitting tribute that honors the countless sacrifices of American soldiers past, present, and future.
I also encourage you to observe Memorial Day in its most traditional manner. All too often, the graves of our fallen become neglected as the years go by and their family members pass on. Memorial Day was formerly known as “Decoration Day,” a day to decorate the graves of those who made the ultimate sacrifice with flags and flowers. This is a special way to remember and honor those who sacrificed themselves for our freedom, and a special way to teach our children that freedom isn’t free.
Memorial Day is also a fitting reminder of the importance of expressing our gratitude to current members of the United States Armed Services. While we honor over a million fallen heroes on Memorial Day, there are over a million of our best and brightest citizens who still commit themselves to protecting our country at all costs every single day. That commitment is worthy of our utmost respect, and no single day need be set aside to shake the hand of current service members or veterans and thank them for their service.
Several years ago, President Ronald Reagan best summed up our feelings about our fellow Americans lost in battle when he said, “We honor the brave Americans who paid the highest prices for their commitment of peace, freedom and justice. Our debt to them can be paid only by our own recommitment to preserving those same ideals. Peace, freedom and justice must be won again and again by each successive generation.”
As we observe Memorial Day this year, let us each take President Reagan’s words to heart and resolve to pick up the torch of liberty and hold it high, never wavering in our defense of freedom at home and abroad.
Assemblyman Jim Silva, R-Huntington Beach, represents the 67th Assembly District in the California Legislature, which includes the communities of Huntington Beach, Anaheim, Cypress, Westminster, Seal Beach, Garden Grove, La Palma, Los Alamitos and Stanton. Any essays, opinion-editorials, press-releases or news item contained herein is the expressed view of the author and not necessarily of The Republican Party of Orange County (also known as OCGOP.org). OCGOP.org should not be held accountable or responsible for the content associated with these writings. The literature that is provided to you, the user, is for your convenience, entertainment and education and are not to be seen as endorsed by OCGOP.org for any products, services or views promoted by said author.
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