Hi, this is Representative Irene Gifford of Lincoln. And I’m Representative Jim Thorne of Carmel with the Weekly Republican Address.
As Memorial Day approaches, communities across Maine and our nation will gather at cemeteries, monuments, churches, and town squares to honor the men and women of our Armed Forces who gave the ultimate sacrifice to our country.
Memorial Day is not simply the beginning of summer.
It is a sacred day of remembrance.
It is a day to reflect on the extraordinary sacrifices made by ordinary Americans — sons and daughters, fathers and mothers, neighbors, and friends — who placed service before self.
That spirit of sacrifice lives deeply in Representative Gifford’s hometown of Lincoln and throughout Maine.
Lincoln is forever connected to one of America’s greatest examples of courage and selfless service — Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Master Sergeant Gary Gordon.
During the Battle of Mogadishu in Somalia in 1993, Gary Gordon and fellow Medal of Honor recipient Sergeant First Class Randy Shughart repeatedly requested permission to be inserted near the crash site of a downed Black Hawk helicopter, knowing there was a growing number of enemy personnel closing in on the area.
He and Sergeant Shughart volunteered to enter an overwhelming firefight to protect American soldiers that were on the ground.
Both men gave their lives defending others.
Their courage and sacrifice later became known to many Americans through the film Black Hawk Down.
In Lincoln, a statue stands in tribute to Master Sergeant Gordon — a lasting reminder of true heroism.
As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, we are reminded that the freedoms we enjoy today were secured and preserved generation after generation by Americans willing to serve on behalf stand of people they would never meet.
From the Revolutionary War to today, brave Americans answered the call to serve, often at tremendous personal cost.
Many never came home.
But Memorial Day also belongs to the families left behind.
It belongs to the Gold Star families who carry loss not just on one day each year, but every day.
Families whose sacrifice deserves not only our gratitude, but our continued support and respect.
Let us teach the next generation that freedom is not guaranteed.
That citizenship carries responsibility.
To all who have lost loved ones in military service, we remember with you, and we honor them.
May God bless the memory of our fallen heroes, may God bless our service members and veterans, and may God continue to bless the United States of America.
Thank you for listening and have a meaningful Memorial Day weekend.
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