Enough longwinded speeches. Enough artificial emotions. Enough manufactured poignant metaphors.
REMEMBER THE FALLEN
Remember why the fell, in what cause: Freedom from political oppression, from religious fanaticism, and from vicious and diabolical prejudice.
In Europe: They fought fascism, and the fascist dictators who were masters of “Big Lies” and deadly actions that turned most of Europe into killing fields for the sacrifice of the innocent to the false idol of the master race and other specious and self-serving myths.
In Asia: They fought to resist the falling dominoes of countries threatened by communist dictatorships and savage coercion into collective action on behalf of the state and the “people.”
In the Middle East: They fought mindless, violent fanaticism that knows no bounds, having defined the will of Providence as its exclusive possession and determined to bring all the world under its rigid theocratic heel.
They fought and died. They held back the tide of evils that continue to threaten us today. Indeed, those evils are gaining strength and spreading their poisonous atmosphere in every direction. The sacrifices of our fallen brothers and sisters in over a century of conflicts cry out to us to keep faith with them. Do not stay silent in the face of evil: lies, deceit, wanton aggression, and lawlessness.
REMEMBER THE FALLEN … AND IN WHAT CAUSE THEY FELL
Richard L. Marrash 
Richard,
You did It again my friend! Words of wisdom, that come from the Heart. Of course, there was a roundabout, through that fantastic brain! Thank you! Much joy and many blessings, to your wonderful family, now and into perpetuity. Nick
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Nick, my dear friend and fellow Army veteran, I am ever grateful for your generous and supportive comments as we pause to honor those who gave their lives in behalf of our nation and our sacred values. Both of us knew some of them. And it is also my honor to have your longtime friendship and the good regard of a true American hero. Your personal odyssey is an inspiration for all Americans: from your childhood fleeing the desolation of Europe at the end of World War Two to your remarkable career soldiering for the United States of America in Vietnam, Europe, and elsewhere, attaining the eminent rank of Colonel in the United States Army. Your book, Budapest to Vietnam, tells the unique story of an American whose journey combines immigration and personal commitment, dedication and service in peace and war, loyalty and sacrifice, and high achievement. I am proud to know you and call you friend. And I wish you and Brenda, and all of your lovely family peace and health, may God grant you many years. –Richard
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