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Senate President Keith Faber
Honoring the
Greatest Sacrifice
Last year at this time, I offered a prayer at a joint session of the
Ohio Senate and House of Representatives honoring Ohioans who lost
their lives while serving our country. I prayed that we would have no
reason to meet again in 2015—that there would be no Ohioan lost in the
service of their fellow man.
This week I stood again before my fellow legislators to present the
Military Medal of Distinction to the loved ones of six brave military
servicemen who died on the battlefield. As we honored them, I
recognized that my prayer was unfortunately not answered the way we all
wished it would have been. But I solemnly realize God's ways are not
always our own, and that it was through these heroic Ohioans, that the
prayers of men, women and children in another part of the world were
answered.
They were answered by these six and the many other brave men and women
of the United States Armed Forces who prove themselves worthy of the
uniform through their internal fortitude and sense of duty. They do so
knowingly stepping into harm's way. They do so to defend our way of
life and the freedom we hold so dear. They answer prayers every day.
The Ohioans we honored this week—fathers, sons, brothers and
friends—represent many before them. They came to serve with a diverse
range of experiences and passions but a shared love of country and
desire to rescue the oppressed. They came from different backgrounds,
but their actions proved that they belonged to the same sacred
fellowship of Ohioans who answered their nation's call to arms. When
alarm bells cried out, they answered the call without hesitation. As
shots rang out and bombs exploded, they chose to run into chaos rather
than retreat into safety. They lived by principles imprinted upon their
hearts and minds by the warriors who went before them— loyalty,
courage, selflessness and integrity.
To the family and friends of those individuals who have made the
ultimate sacrifice for our country, may you find peace in knowing that
your loved ones will never be forgotten. A grateful state will forever
cherish their memory and give thanks for the peace that they fought so
tirelessly to preserve. While nothing can ever repay the debt owed to
you and your family, we extend to you our most sincere and heartfelt
thanks.
To those in uniform, on behalf of the Ohio Senate and a grateful state,
thank you for your service and sacrifice. You freely choose to hold
yourselves to a different set of standards—the highest of standards.
May God bless you and watch over you in all that you do.
The sacrifices of Army Specialist Joseph Riley, Navy Lieutenant Junior
Grade Stephen Byus, Army Major Michael Donahue, Army Specialist Justin
Helton, Army Staff Sergeant Sonny Zimmerman and Chief Warrant Officer
Donald Clark remind us that our freedom is not free. We promise to
continue the fight to uphold the honor of these six and the many others
before them.
This Memorial Day, I again offer a prayer. I pray once more that we
will have no one to award the Military Medal of Distinction next year.
I pray for comfort and peace for the grieving families of the lost.
Most of all, I pray that Ohio will continue to produce young men and
women who value service before self.
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