Memorial Day 2025

On Memorial Day we in the U.S. remember those brave servicemen and women who fought and died for our freedom.

Every American living today most likely knew someone; a friend, classmate or family member, who was killed in battle.

My parents’ generation knew those who fell in battle in World War II and the Korean conflict.

My generation remembers those we knew and loved who died in Vietnam.

My children’s generation lost friends and family members in battles in Iraq and Afghanistan.

All three generations alive today will observe Memorial Day with remembrance, prayer and gratitude to those they knew and to those they did not know who died defending our nation.

My prayer today, on Memorial Day 2025, is that my grandchildren will not know anyone killed in battle. That neither they nor their peers will need to be called to sacrifice their lives. And that future disputes will be resolved by negotiation and arbitration and not by a call to arms.

Motherwell’s Cavalier’s Song contains the lines:

Then mount! then mount, brave gallants all,
—And don your helms amain; 

Death's couriers, Fame and Honor, call
—Us to the field again.

May my grandchildren live in a future where they can find “fame and honor,” if they wish it, in the arts, sports and public service and not in war.