This weekend, Americans from all walks of life will gather together in cemeteries or town squares or other special places to honor those brave men and women who gave the last full measure of devotion for a country and a cause.
For more than 140 years, we have set aside this day to honor our fallen service members. Memorial Day is different from the many other occasions we observe to honor America's soldiers and veterans. Today is - first and foremost - a day of mourning.
That is why, on this, the nation's most solemn day of the year, I urge New Mexicans to take a break from the traditional barbecues, picnics and start of summer celebrations to remember what this day is all about.
It's about soldiers like Private First Class Zachary Lovejoy of Albuquerque. Sergeant Lovejoy died in February while serving in Zabul Province in Afghanistan. He was a young man who - from early in life - loved his country and dreamed of being a soldier.
It's about men like Army Corporal Anthony Carrasco Junior of Anthony. Corporal Carrasco was killed in November after being hit by sniper fire while serving his country in Iraq. He was just 25 years old.
And it's about soldiers like Army Sergeant First Class Kenneth Westbrook, a graduate of Shiprock High School in the northwest portion of our great state. Sergeant Westbrook was gravely wounded last September when his unit was attacked by insurgents in Afghanistan. He died at Walter Reed, surrounded by his wife and three boys.
These aren't the only brave New Mexicans who have given their lives for their country since we last marked this solemn day, but they do illustrate the sacrifice of ALL our soldiers and those who love them.
This year, the families of each of these brave men are marking their first Memorial Day without their loved ones. For them, the wounds are new and deep. For others, the wounds are older, but the loss remains fresh.
So as we mark Memorial Day this year, let us remember those who gave everything in defense of our nation and the ideals for which it stands. And let us celebrate the freedom they pledged their lives to protect.
