Memorial Day is a special time to honor and reflect on the sacrifices made by our men and women in uniform who gave their lives in service to our nation. Throughout our history, over one million American servicemembers have perished fighting for our freedoms and values. Their immense selflessness and bravery represent a debt that can never be fully repaid. 

Thousands of Arkansans have rendered noble service in conflicts ranging from peacekeeping missions to World Wars — many paying the ultimate price alongside their fellow countrymen. 

These acts of valor have protected generations of Americans’ God-given rights and liberties and defined our country as the land of the free, and the home of the brave.

Commemorating the legacies of the fallen and the immense impact they have had on preserving our way of life is part of our duty to them and their loved ones.

Fortunately, as home to over 200,000 veterans, Arkansas communities uphold a strong admiration for our servicemembers and military families. Our state has a proud tradition of supporting national defense as well as our family, friends and neighbors who assure it.

One of these Arkansans is former United States Air Force Captain Floyd Brantley, who recently traveled from Conway to visit the nation’s capital with his family and made time to visit my office. As part of the Greatest Generation, Captain Brantley is planning a Memorial Day trip to Normandy to pay his respects to fellow veterans at their final resting place.

We met over 10 years ago when he joined me to discuss his service in World War II and the Korean War during an interview for the Library of Congress Veterans History Project. This important initiative documents and preserves the personal accounts of American veterans. 

Since its founding by Congress over two decades ago, over 100,000 veterans have participated in the VHP with submissions of service spanning from World War I to Operation Iraqi Freedom and the Global War on Terror. My office has been proud to organize interviews and events throughout Arkansas in partnership with the Library of Congress to successfully train 1,200 Arkansans and submit the oral histories of over 100 Natural State veterans. 

I was inspired to become involved with the program after realizing that my father, who served in WWII and Korea, did not often share details about his service in the military. Many veterans relate to this private humility, and I am pleased that each year, more and more of them are interested in recounting their experiences so future generations can learn, appreciate and understand the meaning of their service. I am confident that interest in this unique and worthy project will only deepen across our state and the nation. 

As we mark Memorial Day, may we pause to honor the courageous men and women who have demonstrated freedom is not free, and recommit ourselves to preserving their legacies and cherishing the freedoms they fought and died to protect. May we never take those who have given the last full measure of devotion for granted.