This weekend, you may be headed to the lake, firing up the grill, or just taking a much-needed moment to relax. But Memorial Day is more than a three-day weekend. Throughout our nation's main streets and in the hallowed grounds of our national cemeteries, take a pause to honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Their selfless devotion to protecting the values and freedoms we hold dear is a debt we can never fully repay.

President Ronald Reagan once said, "Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction." This truth resonates deeply as we reflect on the sacrifices made by veterans. Each day, thousands of courageous individuals, from our armed forces, stand ready to defend our freedoms, ensuring that they endure for future generations.

The first duty of the federal government is to protect our nation, and that duty cannot be fulfilled without the men and women in the military. In Congress, I am proud to stand alongside my colleagues in support of initiatives to improve our national security and we must continue to advocate for critical programs and policies that uphold our commitment to those who have served.

I hope you have a safe Memorial Day weekend with your loved ones and remember, due to the sacrifices of our fallen heroes, our nation is one of the strongest and freest in the world.

CONTACT US: I encourage you to visit my official website or call my offices in Jefferson City (573-635-7232) or Cottleville (636-327-7055) with your questions and concerns. If you want even greater access to what I am working on, please visit my YouTube site, Facebook page, and keep up-to-date with Twitter and Instagram.

###