LockLeed International Honors Military Service Members who gave their lives in service to the United States of America. Thank you.
By Renée R. Roth
This year, on 25 May, we observe Memorial Day in the US. Memorial Day is a time for Americans to honor the men and women who gave their lives while serving in the United States military. It is more than the start of summer or a day off from work. It is a day of remembrance, gratitude, and respect. The holiday began after the Civil War, when communities gathered to decorate the graves of fallen soldiers with flowers, which is why it was first called Decoration Day. In 1868, General John A. Logan called for a national day to honor the war dead, and over time the observance grew to include all American service members who died in military service. In 1971, Memorial Day became a federal holiday observed on the last Monday in May.
For veterans, patriots, and all who love this country, Memorial Day is a solemn reminder that freedom has never been free. It calls us to remember the courage, sacrifice, and duty of those who stood in harm’s way and never came home. Across the nation, families visit cemeteries, flags are placed on graves, and ceremonies are held to honor the fallen. These traditions help keep faith with those who made the ultimate sacrifice and remind each new generation to live in a way that honors their memory. Memorial Day asks us not only to mourn the dead, but also to carry forward the values they defended: service, unity, and love of country.
This year, our community experienced the loss of a local soldier who was stationed in Kuwait on March 1st. US Army Reserve Master Sergeant Nicole Amor and five other US service members were killed in a drone strike at the command center at Port Shuaiba, Kuwait. According to her obituary, “Nicole was a rare and special light in this world, and she will be missed more than words can ever explain. She was an amazing soldier, but more than that she was an amazing wife, mother, and friend. Nicole had a way of being everyone's mother and best friend at the same time. She loved with all of her heart, and she always knew exactly when to throw that perfectly timed sarcastic remark your way. That was her; strong, loving, and real.” She leaves behind a husband and two children, along with her parents and other family members.
We mourn with the White Bear Lake, MN community this year especially, and all the people around our area who have lost a family member in combat. We honor and give thanks for the sacrifices made by them and their families to ensure our freedom.
