Solemn day of remebrance

"Service members cannot do what they do with out sacrifice, and without the sacrifice of their family."

Eric Nordby know about a soldier's sacrifice.

The Ewing native, a chief warrant officer 5, has served in the Army Reserves since 1989. He has completed three tours of duty, including Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Inherent Resolve. He has been a member of the Omaha Police Department since 1992 and currently works in the internal affairs unit.

He presented the keynote address at the Memorial Day program, sponsored by Sanders American Legion Post #214. In Nordby's opinion, the only people who have given Americans the freedoms they enjoy are American soldiers.

"They're from a higher power, as well, but it comes from the soldiers. We have the press, the politicians, we have other professions out there, and we absolutely need those professions for society to function. But they don't give you freedoms," he said. Memorial Day is and should be about soldiers who gave their lives for this country.

"Today is about those who aren't with us. Today is not sorrowful. It is not sullen. It is a solemn day, but it's not a sad day," Nordby said. "It's about all the heroes of the past who perished while in service to the United States."

Mourning their loss is natural, and Memorial Day should be a time to honor those memories. A few years ago, while stationed in Germany, Nordby and a few other soldiers visited Bastogne, Belgium. The Battle of the Bulge was fought near the area.

"The Battle of the Bulge was costly to America," Nordby said. Approximately 19,000 deaths were recorded during the siege. It is considered the third deadliest campaign in America history. "History tells us what happened at that battle," Nordby said.

Engagement between Allied and German forces began Dec. 15, 1944. The siege lasted a week, from Dec. 20 to 27.

Gen. Patton's Third Army reached Bastogne, supplies were restored and, eventually, Allied forces began pushing German troops back.

"It effectively ended the war in Europe. It took another six months, but it effectively ended the war."

Nordby said as he and fellow soldiers entered an eating establishment, locals visited with the Americans for several hours.

"Those locals didn't let us pay for anything," he said.

Locals told the Americans stories their parents and grandparents had relayed about the battle and the outcome.

"They were paying homage to our soldiers for what had happened some 60 years earlier. That's what Memorial Day is all about ... paying homage and honoring them for what they did."

According to Nordby, America has declared war 11 times and been involved in 80 conflicts around the world.

"War is a horrible act and we must all pray we never have to fight again. Yet, at the same time, we have to ensure we are prepared ... by air, land, sea and cyberspace."

Loss of human life is tragic, "but the loss of life, in military terms, in theory, is inversely proportional to projected military and dimensional superiority," Nordby said.

That's key to keeping foreign enemies off American soil.

According to Nordby, 1.4 million American service members have died representing the country.

"They all had parents, spouses, children, cousins, friends. All those folks sacrificed," Nordby said.

Recognizing living veterans is important.

"We're losing them quickly," Nordby said.

Less than 1% of the population current serves in the Armed Forces.

"We're losing an average of 22 veterans a day to suicide."

He encouraged service members to seek help, if they are struggling.

"God does not need any help scheduling a meeting with you. He can do that all on his own."