Memorial Day 2025 is upon us. It is a day set aside for us, as Americans, to come together to honor what was given for us…each of us….by those men and women throughout our country’s life who won, defended and preserved the Freedoms that you and I enjoy but gave their lives in so doing.

Freedom is free for us but it wasn’t free for them.

No matter, if your family has been here since the beginning, new to this country, or anything in between, we are to remember and be thankful.

Most of us, Christians or non-Christians, know or have heard of JOHN 3:16, which sets out GOD’S SACRIFICE for our Eternal Freedom. But many do not know, or have not heard of JOHN 5:13, which speaks of the greatest love by one of us to another, which was embodied by each of them who gave their lives for our temporal Freedom:

 “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” 

From Crispus Attucks, a sailor and rope maker of African and native American decent, who was the first to be killed for our Freedom during the Boston Massacre on March 5, 1770 to the four US Army soldiers, Sgt. Jose Duenez, Jr. of Joliet Illinois, Sgt. Edvin F. Franco of Glendale, California, PFC Dante D. Taitano of Dededo, Guam and Staff Sgt. Troy S. Knutson-Collins of Battle Creek, Michigan, who lost their lives on March 25, 2025 in Lithuania, and every one of them in between those 255 years, who gave their lives, their hopes, their dreams for our Freedom, we remember and honor.

Greater Love Hath No Man or Woman.

President Ronald Reagan, once made this solemn observation, when gazing upon the crosses and stars of David, which symmetrically line the grass of the American Cemetery in Normandy, France;

“But most of them were boys when they died, and they gave up two lives…The one they were living and the one they would have lived. When they died, they gave up their chance to be husbands and fathers and grandfathers. They gave up their chance to everything for our country, for us. And all we can do is remember.”

Greater Love Hath No Man or Woman.

 On this Memorial Day, let us remember and respect those, who paid the greatest price and made the greatest sacrifice.

They gave this great sacrificial Love so that generations of American, which were, are and are to come, could live in Freedom and neither the fog of time nor the change of faces could ever diminish or extinguish this Love that they gave for each of us.

Greater Love Hath No Man or Woman.

Let me share with you a poem, which, inspired by President Reagan’s words, came to my heart recently and two songs that I think will touch your mind, your heart and your spirit with a special remembrance, sincerity and appreciation for the sacrifice given for us.

May their Memories be Eternal….May we Never Forget.

Thanks for taking the time to read this…and GOD BLESS each of you and your loved ones.

Steve Panagiotakos
Former Massachusetts State Senator

“More than a Name on the Wall”

“American Heart”

ALL WE’RE ASKED IS TO REMEMBER
By Steven C. Panagiotakos

They’re not just names…They’re not just numbers.
They’re parents, children, spouses…sisters and brothers.
They gave their lives…their hopes…their dreams
So that we might enjoy…the life…that Freedom brings.
And all…were asked…is to remember.
That the Cost…of our Freedom…is their Forever.
So bow your head…or say a prayer.
So down through the years… they’ll know…we still care.
That their lives…were not given… in vain.
But are the very foundation…upon which…Freedom reigns.
And all…were asked…is to remember.
That the Cost…of our Freedom…is their Forever.