A Letter to Our Fallen Heroes
By Emily Johnson
Dear fallen soldier, sailor, marine, or airman,
I am writing you this letter on the eve of Memorial Day weekend. This weekend, often regarded as the unofficial start to summer, will be filled with barbecues, fireworks, and discounted prices at favorite retail stores. But these things are only noise. Every year as Memorial Day arrives, I think of you.
I think of the bomber pilots of World War II and their commitment to service, even in the face of almost certain death.
I think of the Marines who gallantly raised the American flag during the Battle of Iwo Jima in 1945.
I think of the Battle of Mogadishu in 1993 when 18 Army soldiers were shot from their Black Hawk helicopters and killed.
I think of the 17 Navy SEALs who were killed in 2011 during Extortion 17.
I think of the 11 Marines, one soldier, and one sailor who were killed at Abbey Gate in 2021.
It is atop your shoulders, the shoulders of giants, that our nation stands. It is because of the constant courage and unwavering American spirit of valiant patriots like you that our colors do not run.
You are the soul of this country. Not Democrats or Republicans, but you. Please know that your sacrifice was not made in vain. It is because of you that we are free.
Do not let those who kneel for the national anthem or burn the American flag fool you. They are loud but they are not many.
They have nothing on the massive number of Americans whose hearts still swell with pride when they see an old man wearing a hat donned with the words “Korea Veteran” walk into the diner. Or the many teachers who smile softly to their young students reciting the Pledge of Allegiance each morning. The U-S-A cheers that shake the sports arena or the country music concert still delight men and women, young and old. Quiet contentment fills the twenty-something-year-old woman as she passes a “Pray for America” sign on her daily commute, reassuring her that her beautiful America is still in God’s care.
On this Memorial Day and every day, you deserve to be appreciated and remembered as American heroes. You honored your duty to God and your country and, when asked to make the ultimate sacrifice, you did. For this, I promise you will never be forgotten.
I pray you are resting easy within the golden gates of Heaven and feel America’s eternal gratitude because when duty called, you answered.
Emily Johnson is a senior biology major at Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. She is the president of the Network of Enlightened Women’s XU chapter and an ambassador for NeW.
