Day of remembrance at Fort Rosecrans

They sacrificed their tomorrows so we can have our todays – those poignant words will appear again later in the report from the person who spoke them as the service’s guest speaker. There were a number of speakers at the 114th Memorial Service and day of remembrance at Fort Rosecrans.

They stood amid the flags placed individually at each headstone. They stood with the veterans of the many wars in which this nation has been involved in the name of freedom. They included high school student Dan Hanson, a member of the young Marines. Over the last several years, the 16-year-old Hanson has been asked to recite the Gettysburg Address.

“Four score and seven years ago, our fathers brought forth a new nation…”

The speakers included the person who said the aforementioned words above:

“…or perhaps you are here because you realize that generations of brave Americans gave their tomorrows so we could have our todays,” stated guest speaker Brad Phillips of the VA.

Phillips is in charge of all national cemeteries in the west; the Veterans Administration may have some current serious issues, but Memorial Day is a day to remember and honor – including those on active duty and in the reserves.

“A lot of folks think we’ve lost connection with the military: we have 1.3 million on active duty, we have over 850,000 in the reserves and national guard – an all-volunteer force protecting our freedom and us all around the world.”

They placed nation above self.