e-News 5/21/15

Memorial Day Weekend: Honoring Sacrifices that Protect our Families

Residents of Morris, Essex, Passaic and Sussex counties will gather in their hometowns this weekend to remember our unbroken line of heroes stretching back to the days when General George Washington encamped at nearby Jockey Hollow, part of the Morristown National Historical Park.  

Since the founding of the Republic, the sons and daughters of New Jersey have always stepped forward to serve. And from the battles of Afghanistan and Iraq, to the Korean and Vietnam wars, to the trials of World Wars, to the struggles that made us a nation, their names remind us that “freedom is not free.”

Our nation is free and safe because of brave Americans like these who volunteer to confront our adversaries abroad so we do not have to face them here at home.   These volunteers do the work of freedom so we can all live, work and raise our families today in the greatest nation on the face of the earth! 

I know I speak for all of my fellow veterans when I say that no one loves peace more than the soldier.  That is precisely why all Americans should commit themselves today to the principle first paraphrased in George Washington’s first State of the Union message in 1790: ‘peace through strength.’

This weekend we must never forget that we are truly a nation at war and the ongoing military operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and elsewhere around the globe make this weekend particularly important.  Therefore, on Memorial Day 2015, we should remember the words of President Harry Truman:

“Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude. America will never forget their sacrifices.”

Our prayers are also with those recuperating from wounds of war and veterans suffering the effects of their service and the families that care for them.  

So, this weekend, I hope you will take time to honor the men and women who have worn the nation's uniform and were last seen standing duty.