“The true soldier fights; not because he hates what’s in front of him, but because he loves what’s behind him.”

That quote from G.K. Chesterton was offered by Keith McQuait, commander of the Dolon-Jones-Martino American Legion Post 304, Jim Thorpe, at the Memorial Day ceremonies at Immaculate Conception, Evergreen, St. Joseph, and Mauch Chunk cemeteries, all in Jim Thorpe.

“For centuries, men and women in the military have made great sacrifices to protect our nation’s freedom,” McQuait said.

“Some of them have spent much time away from their loved ones. Some of them have suffered injury and trauma. And many have given their lives. This is a day of remembrance; this is a day of honor; this is a day of thanks.”

McQuait urged the audience to remember the sacrifices of military personnel.

“Our men and women in uniform come from all across America and have answered the call to duty. Why is their service and sacrifice so important? Because they ensure continue freedom; and it is that freedom that defines society and our way of life.”

McQuait said, “As they depart from our shores, we are hopeful that they will come home again. But, we know some of them will not. It is our responsibility to make sure that those who do not return are not forgotten.

“As we return each of the fallen to their families or erase the pain their loved one has suffered, we show our great gratitude and hope that the anguish of these families is eased by the knowledge that their loved ones died for a noble cause.

“As Scripture tells us, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant, well done.’ Let us live up to their sacrifices. On this day and throughout the year, remember those who have gone before you in sacrifice to our freedom. May God bless them; may God bless our troops serving today; and may God bless you for remembering them here today.”

Post chaplain Gilbert Henry offered prayers of invocation and benediction, while Robert Marzen read “In Flanders Field” and The Gettysburg Address.

Henry Desrosiers, the former Carbon County Director of Veterans Affairs, offered these words:

“The brave men and women we honor today selflessly gave of themselves to defend the way of life that we so cherish. The rights of all people to determine our own futures free of oppression and fear. It is because of these everyday heroes that we celebrate Memorial Day, commemorating the selflessness and the sacrifice upon those whose very lives rest the foundation of freedom.

“Memorial Day, one of our nation’s oldest and most significant holidays, recalls the glory and sacrifice of all who have set their personal aspirations aside for the preservation of our society.

He urged every American to reflect on what it truly means to live in freedom.

“We owe all of our veterans, past and present, a debt of gratitude for the sacrifices they have made in the defense of liberty. It is our duty to keep the memory of our fallen veterans alive,” Desrosiers said.

He said people shouldn’t forget those who fought for our freedom.

“May we celebrate the lives of those who have truly made America the land of the free and the home of the brave. We need to put ‘memorial’ back in Memorial Day.”

He thanked the families of our fallen heroes, “who gave their hearts to this country.”

“We owe you and your loves ones our heartfelt gratitude and more. On this Memorial Day, we join fellow Americans in a national day of remembrance in honor of America’s fallen.

“One nation, one day; let us never forget,” Desrosiers concluded.