Remembering Those Who Gave All

I’m sure you and your family have plans for this Memorial Day weekend that may include getting together with friends for a barbecue or relaxing poolside with your kids. But for this three-day weekend, I hope you also can include in your plans the time to recognize and honor the brave men and women who have sacrificed so much for our nation. As I have often heard said, they sacrificed all of their tomorrows for our today. These words are especially important to keep in mind as we enjoy our freedoms and our way of life on this holiday weekend.

We are so incredibly blessed to live in the greatest nation on Earth. We have this privilege because of the men and women who fought so bravely to defend all we hold dear. These are father and mothers, sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, family members and friends -all who loved this country so much that they were willing to leave their loved ones behind, put their lives at risk, and, ultimately, to sacrifice all of their tomorrows to ensure we would have our today. For that, we owe them an eternal debt of gratitude. It’s a debt we can repay by observing Memorial Day and honoring our fallen heroes, but also one we should be aware of, and that we should work to repay each and every day of the year. We know this country will remain the land of the free only so long as it remains the home of the brave. Let’s make sure all of the tomorrows we have been given are spent honoring and appreciating the brave heroes who have defended, and continue to defend, our American way of life.

Please join me and others across the nation for a moment of remembrance that takes place at 3:00 pm on Monday, May 27, 2013. We pray for those Americans who have given their lives in battle, not only to secure and protect the freedoms, rights, and opportunities that we so richly enjoy today, but also extend and restore freedoms around the world.

Please take time this weekend to visit a cemetery or attend a memorial service:

VFW Post 3777 – Memorial Day Ceremony

Veterans of Foreign Wars

Date: May 27, 2013

Time: 2:00 pm

Location: VFW Post 3777, 900 VFW Drive, Festus, Mo 63028

For more information: Info Line: 636-937-5400; Office: 636-931-7977

Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery

Visitation Hours: The National Cemetery is open to
visitors every day of the year from dawn until dusk.

Date: May 27, 2013

Time: 10:00 am

Location: Memorial Day Service will be held in the Chapel of the National Cemetery

2900 Sheridan Road, St. Louis, Mo 63125

For more information:  314-845-8320

Alton, Illinois Memorial Day Parade

Oldest consecutive running Memorial Day Parade in the nation, dating back to 1868.

Date: May 27, 2013

Time: Starts at 10:00 am

Location: At the intersection of College and Washington Avenues

For more information: 618-462-7527

Annual Memorial Day Concert (Patriotic Music)

Compton Heights Concert Band

What to Bring:  A blanket or lawn chair

Date: May 27, 2013

Time: 3:00 pm

Location:  Bandstand, Tower Grove Park, South Grand and Magnolia, South St. Louis

For more information:  314-776-2227