Dear editor,

Spring has reached Wisconsin, and the rising temperatures are a sure sign that Memorial Day is just around the corner.

Hi. I’m State Senator Patrick Testin from Stevens Point, and today I want to talk with you about the holiday and the men and women who give it meaning.

Over the years, we have come to know Memorial Day weekend as three days filled with barbecues, camping, great sales, and time with our friends and families.

It’s important to enjoy the festivities, but it’s also our responsibility to set aside time for prayer or quiet contemplation to honor the brave men and women who served, but never came home.

In these moments of silence, we feel the weight of our soldiers’ sacrifices… Young men and women who gave everything to ensure that our freedoms and way of life could remain intact.

From Saratoga to Gettysburg, and Guadalcanal to Fallujah – their sacrifices have come to define our character as a nation. We are the legacy of the fallen, and that should inspire us. It should inspire us to show our gratitude every day by striving to ensure that our country and our communities remain a worthy tribute to their memories.

After the moments of silence have ended, the parades have passed by, and the charcoal has burned out, may we be ever mindful that the blessings we enjoy in America have come at a high price – and that that price has been paid for us by the American soldier.

Thank you for your time- have a safe and blessed Memorial Day and God Bless you and the United States of America.

Senator Patrick Testin