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"Today, when they thank us for our service, let's say, "Thank you, but let me tell you about someone you should really be thanking," and then tell them the story of our fallen. Tell them of our brothers and sisters, bled dry in foreign lands, whose sacrifice and spilled blood consecrated the dusty, arid terrain of a place most can't place on a map and half can't even pronounce. Tell them of joyous days spent amongst the company of men and women we became closer to than our own flesh and blood, and of the blood from those men and women we later washed from HMMWVs and Blackhawks as their lives ebbed and waned and ultimately ended on the way to the CASH. Celebrate the lives and memories of our fallen with those would thank us, tell them of their smiles and laughter, the inappropriate jokes at inopportune times, and the humbling acts of sacrifice they made to save us, which allowed us to be here today enjoying this beautiful day, for all days bought with sacrifice are beautiful. In that telling, let us remember, too, that Memorial Day is a day to memorialize the fallen, and awaken memories that we've pushed aside or put away in locked boxes, deep inside our closets or in the furthest corners of our minds. Remember their voices, their habits, their quirks, both good and bad, and in that time let them live once more in our hearts, so that we may honestly give forth true account to the person they were, and the service and sacrifice they gave, so that we could go forth, live our lives, and ensure their immortal lives of service are never forgotten. The honored dead never leave us, the imprints they've placed on our memories and souls lie too deeply ingrained, let us use today to share those memories, to rejoice in the lives that were, and let today be not a sad day, but one of joy that such men and women once walked amongst us. In that joy, let us truly have a happy Memorial Day, flush with the memories of time in the midst of greatness and the greatest love of all, he or she that would lay down their lives to protect their fellow man. Happy Memorial Day, everyone. God bless and keep you all, and may the honored dead rest in the peace they earned so dearly."

🙏🏼🙏🏼💙💙