Monday letters: Remembering the values we hold dear

Memorial Day helps us remember the values that we as a nation held dear and the events that have protected and sustained those values.

Our armed forces, from the Minute Men at Lexington and Concord through the ensuing decades, have been valuable in preserving the core values of this nation — peace, liberty, freedom, justice and, most importantly, the worth and dignity of human life.

Preserving this nation’s core values has been costly in terms of the lives of those who serve. I write from my experience; as a member of the U.S. Air Force, serving as a crew chief in the 354th Fighter Group in World War II, I participated in six major campaigns, in England, France and Germany.

Entering the American cemetery on the cliff above Omaha Beach on the 60th anniversary of D-Day — seeing the thousands of grave markers — was a vivid reminder that those who rest in those graves made it possible for me and many, many others to land safely on Omaha Beach on D+8, June 14, Flag Day, and move across Europe defeating evil incarnate.

On this Memorial Day, let each of us rededicate our soul and body to standing up for and defending by word and deed those values for which so many have pledged their lives so that all persons, no matter who they are, may enjoy the fruits of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

West Columbia

This story was originally published May 24, 2015 at 12:18 AM.