Honoring the ultimate sacrifice

Members of the Ora E. Paul American Legion Post No. 24 march through Woodstock, Vt., on Saturday in the annual Memorial Day Parade. (Susan Ford Photo)

As numerous Memorial Day traditions returned across the state and nation, this Memorial Day brought a unique spotlight on the perseverance and courage of the country.

This nation has confronted the grave challenges of war in the past, and each time, courageous men and women have given the ultimate sacrifice. And it's up to us to honor and remember how they bravely fought to ensure our freedom.

As we now emerge from the pandemic, it's a special time to remember what the U.S. can achieve when presenting a united front against a common challenge. Today, we honor when Americans have stepped forward in defense of liberty, with a willingness to sacrifice all for the common good. We remember how the bravery of so many has shaped our country, and what it teaches us today.

On Monday, Gov. Phil Scott honored the many times Vermonters have taken part in those sacrifices.

“Since the birth of our nation, thousands of Vermonters have answered the call. They don’t do it for the glory or fame, they do it for our country and all of us," Scott said in a statement. "Their dedication often puts them in harm’s way and has, unfortunately, cost too many their lives. This is why we can never let their sacrifices be in vain."

Moving forward from this life-changing time in our nation, it's incumbent upon each of us to honor this long-standing spirit of sacrifice, and play a role in improving the country they fought to protect. This includes so much more than individual freedom. This includes preserving freedom for all, and ensuring that liberty is equally shared in the experiences of all Americans. Our fallen soldiers, in their great courage, fought to uphold and sustain that very freedom. Now, the work must continue, and we forge ahead with that goal in our mind and hearts.

As Gov. Scott said, “We must always strive to uphold the values of the nation they fought to preserve and work to build a more perfect union in their honor."

— Gareth Henderson

Honoring their service

Memorial Day 2020 comes amid a uniquely challenging time in our nation’s history, but, as Vermont Gov. Phil Scott expressed today, it could be a particularly fitting time to reflect on the example of those who served the country and made the ultimate sacrifice. 

And so, though many traditional events were not possible today, we persist in recognizing the heroes who fought for our people and our values, and never returned home. We join together in our current struggle, because they stood guard over the nation during the world’s most difficult days. 

“These men and women are the best example of what it means to be an American. Those who stood to fight so the rest of us can live in the safety and security of a free world. Those who sacrificed and died so others may live,” Scott said in his Memorial Day statement.

He continued, “I believe that today, as we navigate through this once-in-a-century crisis, the word sacrifice means a lot more as we unite to fight a new kind of enemy — one that threatens all of us.

“Perhaps there is no better time than now to reflect on the example of those who faced far darker days, but rose to the occasion, so that we might be here now to face our own challenge, together.”

Over the last two months, numerous others have joined our country’s long tradition of sacrifice amid adversity, and thousands have been lost to the pandemic. Many more are continuing to help the nation through this time, in ways big and small. Today, we are reminded how important it is to remember those who came before us and defended the country, so we could be here and proudly serve causes greater than ourselves. Going forward, we can honor them by working for the unity of this nation, even that seems so difficult. Together, is always stronger. 

— Gareth Henderson