Column

Remembering Our Fallen

By: Rep. Adrian Smith

This summer, a travelling memorial called “Remembering Our Fallen” will make its trek across Nebraska. This 60-foot long tribute to Heartland soldiers who have been killed in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan is a poignant reminder of the high cost of freedom. This past Friday, I had the special honor of welcoming its arrival in Gothenburg, where it will be on display through May 31st at Stone Hearth Estates.

This memorial was made possible by Bill and Evonne Williams of Omaha. While neither are veterans, they have raised four sons together, each of whom has volunteered to join a branch of the Armed Forces. The generosity and patriotism of Bill, Evonne, and other supporters of this project exemplifies what is best about our country and the people of our state. You can view the “Remembering Our Fallen” tour schedule here to see if it coming to a town near you:http://rememberingourfallen.org/tour-information/. I highly recommend making the trip.

Since the beginning of the War on Terror, more than one million of our men and women in uniform have been deployed overseas, many of whom have served multiple tours of duty.  As our troops return home, it is imperative they receive the care and support they were promised in return for their service. But most importantly, we must always remember their sacrifice.

My admiration for our troops only has grown since serving in Congress, which is why I founded and still co-chair the bipartisan Congressional Rural Veterans Caucus. On Capitol Hill, our nation's commitment to our veterans and their families remains strong. This unbreakable bond transcends party politics, proving to be an area in which Washington has been able to step up to the plate in a bipartisan manner.

This unity reminds me of President Abraham Lincoln’s most famous speech, delivered from the hallowed ground of the Gettysburg battlefield. He paid tribute to the fallen soldiers with these words: “It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain ... and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

After the barbeques of Memorial Day have drawn to a close and flags once again are hoisted to full-staff, we should remain mindful beyond this particular holiday of the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice defending the liberties we hold so dear. More than 6,000 of our troops have been killed on the battlefields in Iraq and Afghanistan, including more than four dozen Nebraskans. As Americans, we do not need a marking on our calendars to remind us to express our gratitude for these brave men and women who have given their “last full measure of devotion” to freedom as well as those who remain on the frontlines today. Our solemn duty to these heroes is to always remember.