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Memorial Day 2017 – Remembering those who “gave the last full measure of devotion” (photo gallery)
In honor of our fellow citizens who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our nation, this Memorial Day weekend, Bham Now visited and took photos of the Alabama National Cemetery, Alabama Veterans Memorial Park and Veterans Park in Hoover.
Below, we have created a photo gallery commemorating these sacred places in our community. We have also included quotes from Presidents and authors so that we may remember and be inspired by these brave men and women.
“But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate — we can not consecrate — we can not hallow – this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion – that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom – and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth. ~ President Abraham Lincoln, Gettysburg Address 1863
“On this day, we must tell the stories of those who fought and died in freedom’s cause. We must tell their stories because those who’ve lost loved ones need to know that a grateful Nation will always remember. We must tell their stories so that our children and grandchildren will understand what our lives might have been like had it not been for their sacrifice.” – President George H.W. Bush, Memorial Day 1992
“For 147 years, our nation has set aside this day to pay solemn tribute to patriots who gave their last full measure of devotion for this country that we love. And while the nature of war has changed over that time, the values that drive our brave men and women in uniform remain constant: Honor, courage, selflessness.” ~ President Barack Obama, Memorial Day 2015
“They are dead, but they live in each Patriot’s breast, and their names are engraven on honor’s bright crest.” ~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
“The greatest glory of a free-born people is to transmit that freedom to their children.” ~ William Harvard
