I visited Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day. It is a beautiful place – solemn, silent and inspiring. Every visit brings an incredible sense of humility, respect and awe for the individuals buried here, and renewed inspiration to honor their gift to us. Every grave is a solemn reminder of our eternal debt to those who gave the last full measure of devotion to preserve our opportunity to be free. Every marker is also a reminder of our duty to preserve that opportunity.

The opportunity to remain free is ours to squander. The Oath taken by our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines contains near-identical language to the Oath taken by every elected official at every level of government:  to “support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic…”

The neat, tidy rows of grave markers are a silent tribute to patriots who understood service to others regardless of cost, who persevered to the end for causes greater than self, who rose to the call of duty and died to preserve our Republic.

As I walked the quiet paths that carried these many heroes to their final resting place, I was struck by the paradox of Ben Franklin’s words when he said, “A Republic, if you can keep it.”

His words were never more relevant than they are today.