Memorial Day:

Good morning

Good morning and welcome back to today’s edition of The Wolf’s Den. It’s Monday, May 25th, Memorial Day here in the United States.

Memorial Day is one of those days that asks us to slow down. Not because someone tells us to, and not because it is marked on a calendar, but because the meaning of the day demands it.

This is not just a long weekend. It is not just the unofficial start of summer. It is a day to remember the Americans who gave everything for this country. The men and women who put on the uniform, served something larger than themselves, and never made it home.

And this Memorial Day feels especially heavy.

Because the very thing so many of our veterans and fallen servicemembers fought for — freedom — is under attack again.

We see it here at home, where democratic norms are being tested, political violence is being excused by far too many, and basic respect for the rule of law has become another partisan fight.

But we also see it around the world.

We see it in an aggressive China, which continues to challenge democratic allies and test the limits of American resolve. We see it in Russia, which has now spent more than four years waging war against Ukraine, trying to crush a free people for daring to choose their own future. And we see it in Iran, where instability and violence have once again reminded the world how quickly freedom can be threatened, and how often American servicemembers are asked to carry the burden.

At a moment when there is a war in Iran, we also honor the 13 American servicemembers who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

We can debate the political decisions that send our troops into war. In fact, in a democracy, we should debate them. We should question our leaders. We should demand honesty, strategy, and accountability from the people who make decisions from the safety of Washington.

But that debate should never diminish the honor owed to those who serve.

You can disagree with the politicians who send Americans into harm’s way and still deeply respect the soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, guardians, and families who pay the price. That distinction matters.

If we are going to honor our soldiers’ sacrifice, we cannot treat freedom like it is guaranteed. We cannot assume democracy will protect itself. We cannot pretend that the forces of authoritarianism, extremism, and illiberalism are problems of the past.

They are not.

The world is dangerous right now. Freedom is being challenged. Alliances are being strained. Our enemies are watching for weakness. And the values generations of Americans fought to defend are once again being tested.

So today, we remember.

We remember the courage. We remember the sacrifice. We remember the cost. And we recommit ourselves to being worthy of what so many gave for us.

-Ethan