Statement of Memorial Day remembrance

On this weekend, I ask that all Americans take a few moments to pause and reflect on the values and principles of our great nation and the price paid by our fallen heroes to preserve them.

It is our duty to uphold our time-honored traditions of duty, honor and country and to remember why our heroes fought and died in battles at sea, in the air and on land.

There are many reasons why we fight — family, friends, faith, flag and freedom being among the most common. Americans also fight for others and have bled for justice, truth and those basic individual rights that are so eloquently expressed in our Constitution.

To be sure, America faces tough challenges at home, and we remain at war with a determined enemy that is driven by an ideology of hatred and intimidation. Our victory against those who wish to see America fail can only be assured by our united moral commitment to ideals of American exceptionalism and our demand for transparent, honest leadership. We owe our fallen heroes no less.

Ryan Zinke is a third generation Montanan and retired Navy SEAL Commander. He was elected to the Montana State Senate and is currently the chairman of Special Operations for America.