Each year my father Harry Baulisch, a retired Lieutenant of the US Navy, visits a local school in southern Minnesota and speaks to the kids there about the meaning of Memorial Day. Every year I eagerly look forward to receiving a copy of his speech. I feel so honored to be able to read his words about how much a day like Memorial Day means to someone who saw close friends lose their lives for our freedom. I wanted to share with you a short passage of his speech this year so that we all remember both to enjoy this 3-day weekend with our loved ones, as well as to also celebrate it with remembrance and gratitude for those who have served our country and given the greatest sacrifice.
“This whole “Memorial Day” thing, was born out of conflict, born at a time when our nation had just engaged in a great civil war. Born at a time when brother fought brother and mothers lost sons on both sides. As much as we would prefer to ignore the issue of war, our nation has been immersed in war often since those days when our nation was divided and torn apart. Many of us, here today, have witnessed first-hand, the horrors of war. Many with us today, have had to fight, to suffer, and to sacrifice (to a lesser degree) in the service of our country. For those of us who came back, although we may be scarred and carrying unseen injuries, there are other days in which thanks can be offered. For, today, we remember those who did not come back. We have lost loved ones in World Wars One and Two, in Korea and Vietnam. In the deserts of Iraq and Afghanistan, our brave warriors have fallen for us. Many have fallen in the past, and more will fall tomorrow. Yes, we have lost many to armed conflict, we have lost future families, future businesses, future ‘anythings to numerous to mention’. But, today, let us mourn and remember those in the past, who gave that ultimate sacrifice so that we would have a future, a future of choice. A future that we can build for ourselves and our families. So that we, although we may struggle in our daily lives, we still enjoy freedom and liberty that no other nation can claim.
“Yes, today is Memorial Day. We can sum up our thoughts, our deeds and our actions in two words today. When you see that name on the wall, that name on a grave marker, that name in the paper program you hold in your hands. Remember two words, just two words; “thank you”. “Thank you”, is the least we can say to those heroes. “Thank you” is what we must always remember.”
-Lieutenant Harry L. Baulisch, USN, Retired
The EvolvHealth Offices will be closed Monday, May 27, 2013 in observance of Memorial Day. We will resume normal business hours on Tuesday, May 28, 2013.
