Memorial Day means so many different things to so many different people.
To some it about the unofficial beginning of summer, to some it's about a day off from work, to others it's shopping, or golfing or you name it.
But, recently, Alabama was named as one of the most patriotic states. With that knowledge, it's easy to say that Alabama supports our veterans.
For our fallen vets, Abraham Lincoln said, "Those who laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom."
Today, to honor those who have given all, we fly our flag at half staff and lay a wreath to honor them. For the vets who are still with us, we raise Old Glory to full staff at noon in honor of their sacrifices.
Thank you, veterans, for without you, the United States Constitution (holding a replica in his hand) wouldn't be worth the paper its written on.
Ladies and gentlemen, as we all know but don't always convey to our youth, I would like to say;
It's the veteran, not the preacher, who has given us freedom of religion;
It's the veteran, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press;
It's the veteran, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech;
It's the veteran, not the campus organizer who gave us the freedom to assemble;
It's the veteran, not the lawyer, who gave us the right to a fair trial;
It's the veteran, not the politician who gave us the right to vote and with that said I stand here today and proclaim that I owe all veterans.
No matter which branch of service, no matter which war or conflict, no matter how young, no matter how old, I owe a debt and if I can ever be of service to you please call on me as we have called on you.
