On this Memorial Day, I'd like to give a HUGE, heart felt thank you to all active duty, reserve, guard and veterans. Having spent 20 years in the military, I truly appreciate the sacrifice they gave, and especially to those who gave the final measure. Abraham Lincoln, upon notification of the death of Mrs. Bixby's five sons during the Civil War, wrote to her this letter, that said, in part, "that you are the mother of five sons who have died gloriously on the field of battle. I feel how weak and fruitless must be any words of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering to you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save. I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours, to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of Freedom." The Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln edited by Roy P. Basler, Volume VIII, "Letter to Mrs. Lydia Bixby" (November 21, 1864), pp. 116-117. I join Mr. Lincoln, and add my admiration to all of the Gold Star Mothers ( http://www.goldstarmoms.com/ ). Not enough people understand that Freedom exacts a very high price, and appreciate our Armed Forces and what they have given to us. Again, I say, "Thank You for your service to our country."
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