To The Bravery and Courage of Those Fallen – Reflections of Memorial Day

This weekend is a time of reflection and remembrance to those that gave the ultimate sacrifice.  A life of honor is a life fulfilled.  Each one of those men and women that dedicated their lives to a great unknown with the sole purpose of giving us the freedom to breathe the air of freedom, we will not forget you.  Sometimes pictures say all the words you need.

To those brave individuals that carry on the legacy of those fallen, we stand beside you with pride and hope, so that one day, you may never need to fight again.

To all the mothers, fathers, children, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and great-grandparents that gave their mind, body and soul to raising the flag of hope for a better tomorrow, we share in your fears and keep you deep in our prayers.

Quotes and Images of Devotion, Dedication and Commitment – We honor the past, the present and future

F”reedom has its life in the hearts, the actions, the spirit of men and so it must be daily earned and refreshed – else like a flower cut from its life-giving roots, it will wither and die.” ~Dwight D. Eisenhower

“The patriot’s blood is the seed of Freedom’s tree.” ~Thomas Campbell

“Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves.” ~Abraham Lincoln

“Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom, must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it.” ~Thomas Paine

“In the truest sense, freedom cannot be bestowed; it must be achieved.” ~Franklin D. Roosevelt

“Let freedom never perish in your hands.” ~Joseph Addison

“Every human has four endowments- self awareness, conscience, independent will and creative imagination. These give us the ultimate human freedom… The power to choose, to respond, to change.” – Stephen R. Covey

“I stand for freedom of expression, doing what you believe in, and going after your dreams.” – Madonna

“Freedom is the will to be responsible to ourselves” – Friedrich Nietzsche

“History does not teach fatalism. There are moments when the will of a handful of free men breaks through determinism and opens up new roads.” ~Charles de Gaulle

“A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.” –Joseph Campbell

“This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.” –Elmer Davis

“Own only what you can always carry with you: know languages, know countries, know people. Let your memory be your travel bag.” –Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

“The legacy of heroes is the memory of a great name and the inheritance of a great example.” –Benjamin Disraeli

“Sweet is the memory of distant friends! Like the mellow rays of the departing sun, it falls tenderly, yet sadly, on the heart.” –Washington Irving

“Courage is almost a contradiction in terms. It means a strong desire to live taking the form of readiness to die.” –G.K. Chesterton

“For love of country they accepted death.” —James A. Garfield

“These heroes are dead. They died for liberty – they died for us. They are at rest. They sleep in the land they made free, under the flag they rendered stainless, under the solemn pines, the sad hemlocks, the tearful willows, and the embracing vines. They sleep beneath the shadows of the clouds, careless alike of sunshine or of storm, each in the windowless Place of Rest. Earth may run red with other wars – they are at peace. In the midst of battle, in the roar of conflict, they found the serenity of death. I have one sentiment for soldiers living and dead: cheers for the living; tears for the dead.” —Robert G. Ingersoll

“And I’m proud to be an American, where at least I know I’m free, and I won’t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me and I’ll proudly stand next to him to defend her still today, ‘cuz there ain’t no doubt I love this land, God bless the USA.” -Lee Greenwood

“The story of America’s quest for freedom is inscribed on her history in the blood of her patriots.” -Randy Vader

“The dead soldier’s silence sings our national anthem.” -Rev. Aaron Kilbourn

“Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.” -John F. Kennedy

“They are dead; but they live in each Patriot’s breast, and their names are engraven on honor’s bright crest.” —Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, The Battle of Lovell’s Pond

“The patriot’s blood is the seed of Freedom’s tree.” —Thomas Campbell

“And they who for their country die shall fill an honored grave, for glory lights the soldier’s tomb, and beauty weeps the brave.” —Joseph Rodman Drake

“Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are often stiffened.” -Billy Graham

You are all Heroes!!!

Photos:  National Military Cemetery – Beaufort, South Carolina