As summer approaches, many of us on the East End will be celebrating Memorial Day by enjoying barbecues, parties and a day off from work and school. But while we gather with our families and soak up the sunshine, it’s important that we also remember why the holiday was created – to honor the brave men and women who have lost their lives defending our nation’s freedom.

In 1866, Waterloo, NY, became the birthplace of modern Memorial Day. Families gathered to celebrate the sacrifice of fallen soldiers and honored their loved ones by placing flowers on their graves and lowering American flags to half-staff. Today, family and friends still come together every spring in the spirit of commemoration, holding remembrance ceremonies and pausing to show gratitude to those who have lost their lives in the many difficult wars our nation has been involved in since that first gathering.

Here, on the East End, we especially mourn Lance Corporal Jordan Haerter and Lieutenant Joe Thienert who have paid the ultimate price to protect our freedom. We, as a community, will never forget these brave individuals and will continue to celebrate their lives.

As we remember the fallen, we should also recognize the sacrifices of surviving soldiers, veterans and their families. Many of these brave men and women serving abroad or returning home from war are mothers and fathers who have given up precious time with their families and put their lives on the line in order to defend our country.

Tragically, over 2,000 brave soldiers have lost their lives while serving our country in Afghanistan. As of April, 33,500 American troops remained in Afghanistan. The bravery shown by these veterans and fallen soldiers is remarkable, and each one deserves our sincere gratitude.

Take the time to thank a soldier this Memorial Day, and keep them in your thoughts. The men and women in uniform, who have selflessly served our country and defended our freedom, are an inspiration to us all. I remain dedicated to honoring and preserving the memory of those who have been lost in action, and I will keep looking for ways to support our troops and their families, while at home and abroad.