Remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice

     I look forward to attending Maquoketa’s local Memorial Day service on May 28. I will accompany my father, Hugh Bowman, who was a Marine.

     It was a tremendous privilege to provide the keynote address at last year’s ceremony. For me, Memorial Day is a time for reflection. Many have given their lives so that we have our freedom. We should never forget that their service was for us. This includes some local young men who, in the last few years, died protecting our country.

     CPL Zach Reiff from Preston was mortally wounded Nov. 21, 2011 at age 22 while serving in the Marines. My heartfelt thoughts and prayers go to Zach’s family for his ultimate sacrifice.

     Iowa’s tradition of military service stretches back to the Civil War, in which we had the highest percentage of our population fighting. Iowans’ commitment to serve our country has remained strong. That’s why veterans make up a higher proportion of our state’s current population than they do for the nation as a whole.

     This Memorial Day, there are many ways to pay tribute to those who lost their lives. Fly the flag, take a walk through the cemetery, visit a local monument or attend your local Memorial Day service. No matter where we are, we can all join in the National Moment of Remembrance observed across the country at 3 p.m. on May 28.