We must never forget

  • Published
  • By Gen. Lance Lord
  • Air Force Space Command commander
PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. (AFPN) --  "They fell, but o'er their glorious grave floats free the banner of the cause they died to save." These words were written by Francis Marion Crawford.

Memorial Day, as the name implies, affords us an opportunity to remember those who have fallen in battle. This special day was officially proclaimed on May 5, 1868, and first observed on May 30, 1868, when flowers were placed on Union and Confederate soldiers' graves at Arlington National Cemetery.

The following words, inscribed there, are dedicated to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice:

"Not for fame or reward, not for place or rank, not lured by ambition or goaded by necessity, but in simple obedience to duty as they understood it, these men suffered all, sacrificed all, dared all--and died."

Many American families have lost a loved one in the struggle to ensure freedom since the reading of the Declaration of Independence. From Valley Forge to Iraq, generations of Americans have been reminded of that struggle's price.

This is a time to remember all who died in defense of our great nation. It is also a time to reflect on those in uniform today -- you and your comrades in arms -- soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen.

As you go about your holiday weekend, please take a moment and think of all those who died wearing our country's uniforms. On battlefields throughout our history, America's cherished sons and daughters gave their lives so we may remain free. We must never forget.