“Our Flag Does Not Fly Because the Wind Moves It… It Flies with The Last Breath of Each Soldier Who Died Protecting It”
This quote is inscribed on the arch shown above, surrounding the entrance to the Vietnam Memorial Park in Trumbull, Connecticut. Recently completed, the arch is a powerful tribute to all who gave their lives defending our Nation’s freedom in uniform, especially our Vietnam Veterans.
Independence Day is an opportune time to think about America’s freedom. Each service member entering our Nation’s Armed Forces raises their right hand and takes an oath to ‘support and defend the Constitution of the United States.” Their collective sense of “service before self” reflects that of the 56 signers of our Declaration of Independence, who “mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.” As we gather together this year with family and friends in communities across America to celebrate Independence Day, please take time to remember the generations of warriors who paid the true cost of the freedoms and liberty we enjoy today!