OPINION:
As a veteran, I find that the scent of spring and the approach of Memorial Day bring a familiar mix of pride, sorrow and profound gratitude. This isn’t just another long weekend, a signal for barbecues and the unofficial start of summer. It is a sacred day. It’s a day that we, as a nation, pause to bow our heads and open our hearts to the memory of the warriors who gave everything so that we might live freely.
As an American who has worked as a law enforcement officer and businessman and for two decades in naval intelligence, retiring as a commander, I find that the meaning of Memorial Day matters more this year. I know that under President Trump, our war fighters are battle-ready instead of battling the bureaucracy here at home.
The unwavering courage of our fallen heroes is an anchor and inspiration. They stood as sentinels of liberty, from Valley Forge to Normandy’s shores, where valor turned tyranny’s tide.
Their echoes resonate from Chosin Reservoir to Southeast Asia and unseen global fronts where they confronted our nation’s adversaries.
These patriots were our own — children, spouses, parents, friends — their names etched on memorials and in Gold Star family hearts. To these families, bearing an unimaginable burden, we owe an eternal debt and an unyielding promise to ensure that America always stands in their corner. Because freedom’s cost is paid in many ways, but none more final than what we commemorate today.
Truly honoring the fallen also means committing to the living. As a businessman, I see the potential and discipline that veterans bring to the workforce. We must translate this understanding into concrete actions: robust employment, accessible health care and a societal embrace of their service.
This commitment means making sure that comprehensive support systems are strong and accessible. Mr. Trump’s Veterans Affairs reforms, the Forever GI Bill and valuable programs such as Military OneSource, which help address the unique challenges military families face from the stresses of deployment, all play crucial roles. When our service members know their families have such vital resources available at critical moments, they can better focus on their demanding missions. It’s not just the soldier who sacrifices; it’s their families as well.
Furthermore, ensuring that veterans can achieve long-lasting financial security is paramount. Tax relief measures, such as those in the one “big, beautiful bill,” can allow veterans and their families to keep more of their hard-earned income, contributing to their stability and well-being after service. We served in pursuit of a safer and more secure future for our fellow Americans, and a strong economy is the foundation of that strength.
Under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, we have a clear-eyed emphasis on readiness and unwavering support for our war fighters. His commitment to executing the mission is essential leadership that those of us who have served recognize and appreciate.
This Memorial Day, let our remembrance be active. Delve into the stories of sacrifice, share them with younger generations and reflect on the principles these heroes defended. Visit their final resting places, support organizations aiding their families and our veterans and fly our flag with renewed understanding of what it represents.
The ultimate offering of our fallen warriors paved the path for every American success and liberty. It is our sacred obligation to ensure that their legacy endures, not just in stone and bronze but also in the continued strength, freedom and character of the nation they died to protect. May we always prove worthy.
• Paul Chabot is a retired U.S. Navy intelligence commander and retired law enforcement officer. He is the author of “Eternal Battle Against Evil” and president of Chabot Strategies, and has launched Military Vet Move and Law Enforcement Move, which help veterans and police relocate.
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