As we pause today to honor the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our nation, I pray that all Americans will take a moment to remember the selfless sacrifice that these warriors made. As blessed as we are to live in these United States, we should never lose sight of the fact that without the ultimate sacrifice offered by those who served in our Armed Forces, the many freedoms we enjoy as Americans would simply not be possible. Memorial Day allows all of us – no matter our ethnicity, religion, race, class, or politics – to recognize the greatness of these mighty warriors. Every single one of them are worthy of our praise and, on this day, our gratitude.

The men and women we honor this Memorial Day remind us of the solemn truth that military service inherently involves matters of life and death. That is, serving in our nation’s military begins with the profound reality that one may be called to war and that one’s life could be taken. Americans don’t join the military for this purpose, but we know it is a possibility.

This is one of the many reasons military chaplains exist. It is why our role is so vital, not only in war, but every day as we tend to the religious needs of those who serve. Without chaplains, our servicemembers would not have the ability to practice their faith. They would not have access to the rites, sacraments, and ceremonies necessary to worship their God. Chaplains’ daily presence points to the Almighty, as they offer counsel and comfort from the holy scriptures and the teachings of their religion.

Challenging the freedom of chaplains to preach and teach from the dictates of their faith, therefore, not only infringes on their free exercise of religion, but it also undermines the religious liberty of those they serve, the servicemembers who put their lives in harm’s way for the freedoms of all Americans. Any attack on the religious freedom of chaplains, and the servicemembers to whom they minister, is an attack on the First Freedom we all enjoy as Americans.

Today, I want to express my deepest gratitude for those Americans who died in service to this great nation. Your sacrifice will never be forgotten. Your love of freedom continues to inspire us all.

May God continue to have mercy on your soul and may He continue to shed His grace on this land.

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Chaplain (Major) Graham Glover, USAR; RFI Chaplain Fellow