NFL reflects on Memorial Day

"We are gathered at the National Cemetery, which provides a final resting place for the heroes who have defended our country since the Civil War. This amphitheater, this place for speeches, is more central to this cemetery than it first might seem apparent, for all we can ever do for our heroes is remember them and remember what they did -- and memories are transmitted through words. Sometime back I received in the name of our country the bodies of four marines who had died while on active duty. I said then that there is a special sadness that accompanies the death of a serviceman, for we're never quite good enough to them -- not really; we can't be, because what they gave us is beyond our powers to repay. And so, when a serviceman dies, it's a tear in the fabric, a break in the whole, and all we can do is remember. It is, in a way, an odd thing to honor those who died in defense of our country, in defense of us, in wars far away. The imagination plays a trick. We see these soldiers in our mind as old and wise. We see them as something like the Founding Fathers, grave and gray haired. But most of them were boys when they died, and they gave up two lives -- the one they were living and the one they would have lived. When they died, they gave up their chance to be husbands and fathers and grandfathers. They gave up their chance to be revered old men. They gave up everything for our country, for us. And all we can do is remember." - Ronald Reagan Thanks for the inspiration @domraso #Honor

A post shared by Tom Brady (@tombrady) on May 29, 2017 at 7:19am PDT

Today we remember the men & women who paid the ultimate sacrifice. Thank u to all who've served & continue to serve our country #MemorialDay

— Matt Ryan (@M_Ryan02) May 29, 2017

Thank You to those who sacrifice, serve & protect us and our freedom. #MemorialDay #Salute pic.twitter.com/VUzsBam2fj

— D-Ware (@DeMarcusWare) May 29, 2017

Happy Memorial Day! pic.twitter.com/JMXS2MrjAS

— Julio Jones (@juliojones_11) May 29, 2017

We’d like to say thank you to all the brave heroes who served our country and made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms. #MemorialDay pic.twitter.com/OaJmU7PG6e

— Joe Flacco (@JoeFlacco) May 29, 2017

We remember the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. 🇺🇸 #HonorTheFallen #MemorialDay

— Alshon Jeffery (@TheWorldof_AJ) May 29, 2017

Thank you for your sacrifice #happymemorialday pic.twitter.com/uijYrvBkiS

— Taylor Gabriel (@TGdadon1) May 29, 2017

Land of the free because of the brave. Thank you 🇺🇸

— Johnathan Hankins (@BigTimeHank) May 29, 2017

Today we honor the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. Thank you! #MemorialDay pic.twitter.com/vBgPYJ2WE0

— Dan Quinn (@FalconsDQ) May 29, 2017

Thanks 2 the men & women of our #ArmedForces I truly appreciate your daily sacrifice 2 defend my family & our country! #happymemorialday pic.twitter.com/9pbVMjwzU7

— Lorenzo Alexander (@onemangang97) May 29, 2017

Today we honor all the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice to serve and protect our great country. #MemorialDay🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/ANzYcscgg2

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) May 29, 2017

Today we remember & honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice. #MemorialDay 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/A4OJYX2cJX

— Green Bay Packers (@packers) May 29, 2017

With honor and gratitude, today and EVERYDAY. #MemorialDay pic.twitter.com/n4YhiLbEOT

— Nick Novak (@8nicknovak) May 29, 2017

Thank you to the American badasses who risked it all to protect/create the greatest country on earth..Freedom isn't free, Happy Memorial Day pic.twitter.com/EiLwK5uzd7

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) May 29, 2017