Gov. Doug Burgum, during a Memorial Day event Monday, said the annual holiday can serve as a reminder of how fortunate Americans are and also that "freedom isn't free."
The governor gave his remarks during a ceremony that was livestreamed from the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery in Mandan and also in a video message as part of a virtual ceremony in Fargo.
“This day of remembrance can inspire each of us to consider how fortunate we are to live in this great nation and how important it is for us to keep fighting for America’s future," Burgum said. "As President Ronald Reagan wisely said, ‘Freedom is a fragile thing and is never more than one generation from extinction.’ That is why, even in the midst of this pandemic that has taken both lives and livelihoods, we must pause, we must reflect, and we must honor those brave men and women who gave their lives for our country.”
The governor also said that “now more than ever, we must never forget that freedom isn’t free. These freedoms have been preserved and made possible due to the men and women who fought and died for our nation. They deserve our deepest respect on Memorial Day and every day.”
