On December 8, 2012, a SEAL team was sent on a rescue mission to save my friend Dr. Dilip Joseph. Dr. Joseph and his team were on a medical relief mission in eastern Afghanistan when they were kidnapped.
During the late-night assault, Chief Petty Officer Nicolas Checque was mortally wounded as he led the team into the building to rescue the hostages. He was a son, brother, wrestler, and warrior. Nick was from Pennsylvania and strived while still in high school to prepare himself for service as a Navy SEAL.
“Greater love has no man than this: to lay his life down for his friends.” John 15:3
Memorial Day is the day when America honors the fallen, the men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice defending our country. (Not the day to thank the Veterans still among us.)
Because of their sacrifices, we are free. Our obligation now becomes to continue to make America the country of hope, freedom, and opportunity. Far from perfect, with lots of work left to do, we can commit to making it better.
Love your neighbor as yourself. Even the hard ones.