Extra Points: Memorial Day Special

Dad was a 30-year Navy veteran serving though 3 wars and being directly involved in the Atlantic theatre in

World War II. He never considered Memorial Day a tribute to him or any other veteran that survived wars and conflicts. He taught me there was another special day in November to honor all veterans. Instead, Memorial Day was to remember and honor those that gave the ultimate sacrifice – their life – in the call of duty. Today, this column will simply use the poignant and powerful words of President Abraham Lincoln when he addressed a crowd in Gettysburg on November 19, 1863. To all that died in service of this country and those that lost loved ones, we honor your sacrifice…

“The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us — that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion — that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain — that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”