Hi everyone, Tom Emmer here with a special Memorial Day message.

For many, Memorial Day marks the beginning of the summer season.

For others, this holiday is seen as a day off from work or school, and as a chance to spend time outdoors grilling with family and friends.

But in actuality, this day is a solemn one.

It is a day dedicated to the men and women who bravely served this great nation and never made it home.

Today, and every day, it is important that we reflect and remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

I recently saw a quote that said, “To be killed in a war is not the worst that can happen. To be lost is not the worst. To be forgotten is the worst.”

Today, we honor our country’s commitment that these soldiers, our veterans, will never be forgotten. We will always remember their service and the sacrifice that they and their families made on our behalf.

If we ask ourselves why the United States of America continues to be the greatest country in the world, it is because of the patriots who were willing to fight for our freedom during times of great need, and especially because of those who were willing to pay the ultimate price- because freedom is never free.  

President George W. Bush said it best back in 2003. “Their sacrifice was great, but not in vain. All Americans and every free nation on earth can trace their liberty to the white markers of places like Arlington National Cemetery. And may God keep us ever grateful.”

I ask you all to not only remember those who died serving our country this Memorial Day; I ask you to remember their families and loved ones, because they have lost so much as well.

I also want to take a moment to remember our brave troops that continue to fight on foreign soil today. They will not get to enjoy this beautiful spring day with their families and friends, instead they bravely defend this nation so that we can continue living in a land of peace and freedom.

In order to be worthy of their service and sacrifice, we have a duty to not only remember them today, but each and every day.

If I know one thing to be true, it is this: we are the land of the free because of the brave.

Thank you!