Memorial Day is not a celebration of war.
It is a solemn reminder of the cost of it.
Today, we honor those who gave their lives believing in something bigger than themselves — the fragile promise of democracy, liberty, service, and the idea that a nation can still strive toward justice even when imperfect.
But this Memorial Day feels heavier for many Americans.
Families are struggling financially. Trust in government has fallen near historic lows, with recent Pew Research data showing only 17% of Americans say they trust the federal government to do what is right most or all of the time.
Across the country, people are questioning whether our institutions still work for ordinary citizens. They are watching rising political extremism, deepening polarization, threats to election integrity, attacks on the press, and growing fears about the erosion of democracy.
Many Americans are also wrestling with what it means to support the troops while simultaneously questioning how military power is used abroad, how patriotism is defined at home, and whether dissent is still viewed as an act of citizenship rather than disloyalty.
That tension is real.
And perhaps the most patriotic thing we can do today is not pretend everything is fine.
The men and women we honor today did not sacrifice their lives for blind loyalty to political parties, leaders, or ideologies. They sacrificed for the possibility of a country courageous enough to confront itself honestly.
Democracy has never been self-sustaining.
It requires participation.
Accountability.
Truth.
Courage.
And citizens willing to defend it — not just on battlefields abroad, but within our civic life here at home.
So today, we remember the fallen with gratitude.
But we also ask ourselves difficult questions:
What kind of country are we becoming?
What are we teaching the next generation about freedom, truth, service, and humanity?
And are we honoring sacrifice by protecting the democratic principles so many died believing were worth defending?
May we remember them not only with flags and ceremonies, but with a renewed commitment to each other, to truth, and to the unfinished work of democracy.
