Governor Doyle Column: Honoring Our Troops this Memorial Day
[we have received the following from Gov. Doyle's office and are pleased to publish it here. And to all the veterans who have served our nation and helped keep her safe and free - thank you! On this coming Memorial Day, and always, we owe you a debt of gratitude.]
In Wisconsin and across America, we honor the brave men and women who have served and sacrificed in defense of our nation and our freedom. For their brave and dedicated service to both state and country - we offer them our thanks, and honor their memory.
Here in Wisconsin, we have witnessed firsthand the extent of their sacrifices. Nearly half-a-million Wisconsin men and women have served our nation and our state, and - as the proud son of a World War II Veteran - I am humbled by their courage.
We owe these brave men and women more than a lifetime of Memorial Days could repay. Their sacrifices left us with a duty that goes on through the generations - to honor them in our thoughts, in our words, and in the way we live our lives. Our men and women in uniform deserve - and have earned - the deepest respect and most profound gratitude of the people of Wisconsin.
Each of our brave soldiers loved his or her life as much as we love ours. Each had a place in the world, a family and friends who anxiously awaited their return. They thought of the future just as we do, with plans and hopes for a long life. But they chose to travel to foreign shores, to fight to defend our freedom, and ensure the world's stability.
Some of their stories are as old as our country. Others are risking their lives today in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other countries around the world - a new generation of heroes, writing its own page in American history. We are so fortunate to have people in this state of such high quality, of such great character, who answer the call.
Since 2003, I have attended the funerals and memorials of far too many of Wisconsin's brave soldiers. While it is one of my most difficult responsibilities as Governor, it also fills me with pride over the quality of our men and women in uniform. I have met the families of our fallen soldiers. They deserve our deepest gratitude. This day we honor you too, because you were there to support these fine men and women. Their sacrifice was your sacrifice. Wisconsin and the world are a better place to live because of the work and service of your loved one.
Every Memorial Day we gather together, trying to grasp the extent of our loss. But it is difficult to comprehend, and nearly impossible to put into words. In the end, all we can do is be thankful. All we can do is remember, and always appreciate the price that was paid for our own lives and our own freedom.
And so this Memorial Day, let us pause to remember the sacrifice of our fallen heroes and their families and let us rededicate ourselves to honoring these men and women to ensure that their service and sacrifice were not in vain.
In Wisconsin and across America, we honor the brave men and women who have served and sacrificed in defense of our nation and our freedom. For their brave and dedicated service to both state and country - we offer them our thanks, and honor their memory.
Here in Wisconsin, we have witnessed firsthand the extent of their sacrifices. Nearly half-a-million Wisconsin men and women have served our nation and our state, and - as the proud son of a World War II Veteran - I am humbled by their courage.
We owe these brave men and women more than a lifetime of Memorial Days could repay. Their sacrifices left us with a duty that goes on through the generations - to honor them in our thoughts, in our words, and in the way we live our lives. Our men and women in uniform deserve - and have earned - the deepest respect and most profound gratitude of the people of Wisconsin.
Each of our brave soldiers loved his or her life as much as we love ours. Each had a place in the world, a family and friends who anxiously awaited their return. They thought of the future just as we do, with plans and hopes for a long life. But they chose to travel to foreign shores, to fight to defend our freedom, and ensure the world's stability.
Some of their stories are as old as our country. Others are risking their lives today in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other countries around the world - a new generation of heroes, writing its own page in American history. We are so fortunate to have people in this state of such high quality, of such great character, who answer the call.
Since 2003, I have attended the funerals and memorials of far too many of Wisconsin's brave soldiers. While it is one of my most difficult responsibilities as Governor, it also fills me with pride over the quality of our men and women in uniform. I have met the families of our fallen soldiers. They deserve our deepest gratitude. This day we honor you too, because you were there to support these fine men and women. Their sacrifice was your sacrifice. Wisconsin and the world are a better place to live because of the work and service of your loved one.
Every Memorial Day we gather together, trying to grasp the extent of our loss. But it is difficult to comprehend, and nearly impossible to put into words. In the end, all we can do is be thankful. All we can do is remember, and always appreciate the price that was paid for our own lives and our own freedom.
And so this Memorial Day, let us pause to remember the sacrifice of our fallen heroes and their families and let us rededicate ourselves to honoring these men and women to ensure that their service and sacrifice were not in vain.
posted by Cheryl Hentz at 5:20 AM
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