Happy Memorial Day! We have so much to be thankful and remember on this day.
Our freedom to worship, speak freely, and choose our own dreams is more than just a gift. It was earned through great sacrifice. I am grateful to have been born here and for the opportunity and freedom I’ve had to pursue those dreams.
Today we remember and honor the brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces. Those who paid the ultimate price to protect our nation, our freedom and liberty. May we never forget their sacrifice.
Memorial Day has been celebrated since May 1868 when General John Logan proclaimed May 30 as Memorial Day (originally called Decoration Day). On that first Memorial Day, flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery.
The website USMemorialDay.org is a great source of information on this important day and its history. The site tells us that in 1971, Congress passed legislation that changed this day of recognition to instead fall on the last Monday of May. It was effectively made part of a three-day weekend as opposed to a solitary day of remembrance. I believe we must remain vigilant in remembrance of those who, following orders and honor, paid the ultimate price for our freedom. They did so without knowing us, yet with hope for a better future.
‘Old Glory’ is proudly flown year-round at OWC. Our flag was lowered to half-mast at sunrise today and raised again to full-mast at noon, in keeping with Memorial Day decorum. We take a moment of silence to remember our fallen. I pray that, despite any differences, we remain united in the good spirit of our founders’ intent.
Every year on this day, it is tradition here at OWC that we pause for a moment of silence and listen to the playing of Taps. Wherever you may be, at 3PM (your local time), I hope you will join us in honoring our fallen servicemen and women during this National Moment of Remembrance.
While this day is dedicated to remembering our fallen, every day I carry gratitude for those currently serving and those who have served before them. Supporting veterans and active-duty personnel has been important at OWC since Desert Storm in the early 1990s. It is our great privilege to employ veterans and help support their transition into civilian roles.
These men and women served our country in good faith and now bring that same drive, along with unique skills, loyalty, and maturity, into their work with us. We are fortunate to have them on our team and in our communities.
In God we trust. I am grateful for the great opportunities this nation offers. Freedom, liberty, and acceptance of all people. Freedom sparks imagination. Liberty gives us the ability to act. We can worship without persecution and benefit from the diversity of ideas that makes this country so special. This spirit reaches beyond borders, flags, or politics. None of us are perfect, but we do our best with the gifts, leadership, and talents we’ve been given.
This is OWC’s 38th year, and our 18th year observing Memorial Day at our current Woodstock, IL headquarters. Once again, Mirjana Madzarac, an immigrant and our Director of Warehouse Operations, honored this day by lowering the flag at sunrise. Mirjana has been with OWC for 25 years. She and her family came to this country as refugees from the war in Serbia and Croatia. She is a cornerstone of our team and her dedication touches every one of our customers. Twenty-two years ago, we celebrated her becoming a U.S. citizen. Like America itself, OWC is proud to be a melting pot built on hard work and sacrifice. I’m deeply thankful for all that made it possible for Mirjana and others like her to be part of our family today.
At noon, Chris Anderson dutifully raised our flag back to full mast. Chris is a decades-long team member and a Senior member of our Product team. He consistently ensures that only the highest quality solutions bear the OWC name. In his community, his volunteer leadership makes a meaningful impact on both young and old, something we’re proud to support.
OWC has been graced with an amazing team and customers who drive us to make promises that cannot be broken. There is a reason we are here. This team and I are grateful for the opportunity to create and serve you. You are the purpose and inspiration for our doing. We recognize the responsibility that comes with your trust, and we work every day to earn it.
My alma mater posted this prayer today, and I thought it right to share:
Blessed are you, Lord God,
Whose love invites and sanctifies our own loving surrender of self.
Your Son teaches that there is no greater love than to lay down our life for our friends.
As we recall and remember those who gave their lives for us,
For our communities,
For our nations,
We invoke your blessings upon them.
May they find eternal life with you.
And may their sacrifices be united to the sacrifice of your Son,
That they may share in His Paschal Victory.
And may we all find inspiration in your Spirit to give ourselves completely in love.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
I share this of my own faith and with respect to all faiths that my audience may hold.
Whatever efforts we undertake to express our sincere thanks and gratitude to those men and women serving in our Armed Forces today—and those who have served in the past—we can never do enough. It all pales in comparison to what they and their families have sacrificed for all of us. Giving back is the least we can do, and we do so openly, honestly, and with the utmost respect for their service.
On this Memorial Day, and every day, I encourage you to take a moment to offer a gesture of thanks. There is no gesture too small. Sometimes, simply walking up to a member of our Armed Forces and saying “thank you” can mean the world.
With Gratitude,
Larry
Other Topics You Might Like:
