WEBVTT

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Memorial Day gives us an opportunity to

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honor and remember those who gave their

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lives defending our nation's freedom .

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We have a chance to pay homage to

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those men and women who paid the

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ultimate price , whether on the

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battlefield deployed in harm's way or

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otherwise . Training and engaging the

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men and women who supported our nation .

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And is it interests . Give us something

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to reflect on every single day . Today

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is an opportunity for us to do so with

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special reverence . Yeah . Memorial Day

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is not just about backyard barbecues .

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Going to the beach , the latest holiday

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sell or the unofficial start of summer .

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It has far deeper meaning . Originally

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called decoration day . This holiday

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became an annual national Day of

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remembrance in 18 68 to honor fallen

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civil war Service members from the

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american revolution to the recent

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conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq

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service members have continuously put

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the welfare of the nation before their

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own . In the Air Force , we consider

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our greatest asset to be our people .

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Our all volunteer Air Force is a credit

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to americans of all races , genders and

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creeds and our common commitment to

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defense and a love of country binds us

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together and unifies us . That goes to

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the heart of what it means to be an

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american . On Memorial Day , we must

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remember the link we have with

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generations that have gone before us ,

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who selflessly gave their lives in

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defense of our nation , its values ,

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our freedoms and our liberties .

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Remember on Memorial Day , that will

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often mourn those who gave their lives .

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But at the same time we'll celebrate

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those lives when you celebrate this

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weekend . Please do so responsibly and

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safely . We need everybody to

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accomplish the mission .