http://www.ydr.com/story/opinion/columnists/2017/05/25/earning-this-memorial-day-message/346397001/

I am a proud, 10-year United States Air Force veteran, a humble servant and defender in a long, noble and inspiring tradition of military service.

For generations, from Lexington and Concord and Bunker Hill in Massachusetts to Yorktown, Va., to the halls of Montezuma, to the wheat fields of Gettysburg, to the shores of Tripoli, to the trenches of Germany, to now serene Pearl Harbor, to the beachheads of Normandy, to the rocky heights of Iwo Jima, to the rugged coasts of Korea, to the jungles of Vietnam, to the mean streets of Mogadishu, Somalia, to the hills and dunes of Iraq, Afghanistan, and beyond, brave American men and women have risked limb and life, spilled blood, and made the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of freedom.

Through their devotion and deeds, the indomitable spirit of America not only endures, it prevails. And it inspires new torchbearers of freedom into the 21st century. Let us rejoice in and give thanks to the ones who live and remember.

The writer of the epic World War II movie, “Saving Private Ryan,” Robert Rodat, came up with the film's story in 1994 when he saw a monument dedicated to four sons of Agnes Allison of Port Carbon, Pa., in Schuylkill County in the heart of “Coal Country.”  The brothers were killed in the American Civil War.

Rodat decided to write a similar story set during World War II.

In “Saving Private Ryan,” Army Chief of Staff and chief military adviser George Marshall charges a special group of Army officers, led by a Captain Miller, to find the only surviving son of his mother, Mrs. Ryan.

Mrs. Ryan’s three other sons had perished at war within days of each other, and she would receive news of their deaths on the same day.A native of Uniontown, Pa. – another Pennsylvania connection for the record – General Marshall had decided that losing all four sons would be more than any mother should or could bear.

When he learns that the fourth son, Private James Francis Ryan, is missing in action in Normandy. orders that Ryan be found and sent home immediately.In France, three days after D-Day, Captain Miller receives orders to find Ryan. After a strenuous journey, Captain Miller’s squad finds Ryan.After a deadly firefight with the Germans, Captain Miller is mortally wounded. Gurgling blood, he manages to utter these final words to Private Ryan: "James, earn this… Earn it.”

Fast forward decades later to the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in Normandy, France. Visiting the cemetery with his family, the elderly Private Ryan finds Captain Miller’s grave.Trembling and filled with anxiety, Ryan turns to his wife.Barely audible, he asks the following: "Have I led a good life? Am I a good man?"

Only you, like Private Ryan, can answer these questions.

These may be questions that can only be answered by a higher power or that are never answered by words.

Private Ryan never audibly answers his questions. Instead, his wife reassures him, and the wet-eyed Ryan salutes Miller’s grave.

Maybe that is how we best answer these tough questions – “Have we earned our freedom?” “Have we led good lives?” “Are we good citizens?” – by showing and practicing reverence, respect, honor and loyalty.

We may not be able to be heroes like Agnes Allison and her sons. But we can rise to bear our own crosses with grace under pressure. We can strive to perpetually answer Private Ryan’s enduring questions, “Have I led a good life?” and “Am I a good person?" And we can be true to Captain Miller’s charge to “earn this” with dignity, courage and honor.

We may not all be able to be heroes in epic battles or noble martyrs in grand causes. But we can be good foot soldiers and minute citizens of democracy and virtue. We can be grateful and appreciative; we can pay tribute and respect to our veterans. We can decorate the graves and salute the graves and the people who have gallantly served. We can say a simple “thank you” to all those who have served.

Baptized by their service and sacrifice, we also can be primed with newfound purpose to lead good, patriotic lives. We can give back. We can live by the Golden Rule. We can be responsible, kind and honorable. We can alleviate suffering and loneliness. We can help enlighten, empower and ennoble our loved ones, neighbors and those in need.

We can “earn this” freedom and earn this moment in history.

We can earn this blessed freedom that binds us and earn the greatness that is our promise.

I joined the United States Air Force in 1984 and served honorably until 1994, achieving the rank of E-6. Among my medals and citations, I received the National Defense Service Medal and the Air Force Good Conduct Medal with 2 devices.