Today, we pause to honor the lives lost in senseless wars—brave souls, frightened hearts, and those caught in misfortune's grasp.

I despise war and the decisions of governments to send our fathers, mothers, sisters, and brothers into conflict, heedless of the anguish and loss their deaths inflict on families.

Yet, I am deeply grateful for those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the face of dangers I have never known. Their selfless acts secured the freedoms we cherish today, in all their forms, whether we fully embrace them or not.

The madness and thirst for war seem unending, but I hold onto hope for a season of peace, just to know its taste.

To the fallen, I honor you. No matter the circumstances of your sacrifice, you are forever heroes.