What do you think of when you think Memorial Day? Do you think of graduation? Camping? The opening weekend of the Medora Musical? Or just Monday off? Regardless of what Memorial Day means to you, it is a day (along with 364 others every year) that was purchased for us by the brave men and women whose lives, sometimes the loss thereof, protect and defend our country and our freedoms.

Anyone who thinks that “war is not the answer” is deluded by the luxury of a sheltered existence, one brought about by this country’s might and sacrifice on the field of battle in the past. Truly evil people will not be contained by dialogue, and this world is full of them. Notice that only the USA still stands up to anyone in this world, and it’s able to do so because of the superior armed forces standing up for us each day.

Thank you to all who serve and have served. To my friend Reed and the rest of the 112th I want to say that I’m proud of you, I pray for you, and I eagerly await your return home.