Memorial Day - A Tribute

For most of us, Memorial Day is just another day to look forward to the family reunions and backyard barbecue's.  

It may be a day of lounging by the pool or heading to the beach.  

It may be a day you and your friends get together and head downtown to check out the museums or do whatever it is that you and your friends do.  

It's really not all that different at my house either.

We hang our flag early.  It has a place of honor on the front of the house that sticks out the closest to the street.

We may spend our day boating.  

We may spend our day hanging by our pool hosting a party for our friends and neighbors.  

Pensacola is a military town so it's really no surprise that the majority of our neighbors are military, retired military or ex-military.  And being ex-military ourselves, it's no surprise that we gravitate toward the folks who are as well.

So today I want to say a special thank you to the wonderful men and women who came before me, the ones who went after me and all the ones still yet to make that choice to suit up and serve.  I have never had the words that can convey the experience of military life and the camaraderie that is born to those who serve together.  

It is as unique and special as the courageous men and women themselves. 

There are too many for me to name each and every one individually, but for those of you that served at NSGA Hanza and NSGA Adak, whether you were Navy or Marine Corps. you are missed.  

For the rest of the men and women who serve this country on a daily basis, thank you.

And for the men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice and paid the ultimate price, well there are no words to express my gratitude or my thanks.  Just know you will never be forgotten.  I stand tall a salute you.