A Memorial Day Salute to Our Heroes
As we prepare to celebrate Memorial Day, we immediately need to recognize we are in a new world of crisis and great sacrifices.
Every crisis has new heroes. During the 9/11 attacks, they were the first responders running into burning and crumbling buildings as others ran out. Now, during the Coronavirus pandemic, the most visible heroes are the health care professionals, who are saving others and risking their own lives while doing so.
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These heroes have much in common with the people that we honor today – America’s living and fallen veterans. They are men and women who have sacrificed their own lives so others could live.
They are both elite and ordinary. They are elite in the sense of character. Giving your life so others could live is the ultimate sacrifice one could make. They are ordinary because they represent the diverse fabric of our country. They are rich and poor, white and people of color, male and female. They come from every ethnicity and background. In short, they looked like anyone of us. All true and tried Americans!
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Let us remember not all the heroes working during the COVID-19 pandemic are just in the healthcare industry. First Responders, Grocers, Delivery Workers and drive-through Restaurant Employees are just a few of the many people that we rely on to provide vital services for society while risking their own safety.
As we celebrate the gallant and untiring performances of all the workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, it brings to mind approximately one million men and women of the U.S. military have lost their lives in defense of our nation since the founding of this great nation. At sea, on land or in the air – military service requires great risk.
Even when the enemy is an invisible virus the sacrifices made are just as meaningful. The U.S. military has already lost many servicemembers to COVID-19.
This Memorial Day as we continue to honor those who fell for us in battle, let us also pause to remember those who have also sacrificed their lives while serving others. Thank you for remembering them today.
To all we say God Bless our Veteran heroes, God Bless our Covid19 heroes, God Bless all of you and God Bless America.
Thank you.
Michael R. Formento
Commander
Glen Ellyn American Legion Post 3
