Good morning. And thank you for being here today. It’s an honor to stand with this community in remembrance. In a place like Ely – where people still know their neighbors, where community still means something – seeing people gather like this matters. Because Memorial Day is not just another date on the calendar. It is a responsibility. A moment where we stop – intentionally – and remember something that can never be replaced. Because today is not about barbecues, long weekends, or the unofficial start of summer.
Today is about remembering. Remembering those who left home…and never made it back. Those who stood their post…and gave everything they had. Those who never got the chance to grow old, tell their stories, raise their families, or stand here today surrounded by community. Memorial Day is not about all veterans. It is about the ones we lost. And that distinction matters. And in a town like Ely, that sacrifice feels especially personal.
