Greetings Cascade Family and Friends,
This weekend promises to be a very exciting time for both families and friends. Many of us will continue to be involved in celebrations of graduations at all levels from receiving kindergarten certificates to doctoral degrees. Of course, this is a time to congratulate and honor our graduates and simultaneously echo the importance of family. We know graduation day is the result of not just the scholars and their commitment to excellence, but it is also a clear testimony of the dedication of the family and friends who constantly support those who are on their journey. So, the celebrations and congratulations should be spread among everyone.
Memorial Day is more than a federal holiday. The weekend observance will end on Monday with the usual fanfare and parades. Many families will regard this holiday as a bittersweet opportunity to honor the brave men and women who died while serving on the battlefield. Instead of participating in the pomp, they will visit the cemetery or a memorial to honor the fallen. In light of this, let me urge you to intentionally reach out to veterans and thank them for their service and sacrifice. For those of us who lost loved ones to war, we can also celebrate their service by remembering them in fond and happy ways. Only persons who have experienced combat can really relate to what it does to you. Though the rest of us can only imagine, we can always offer our prayers and words of thanks and support. I invite you to join me in making every effort to show Cascade's veterans as well as other veterans in your life how much we appreciate them and their service.
Finally, as we pay homage to graduates and veterans, let's agree that we will be careful, drive safely, and act responsibly in our celebrations. The number of fatalities on the highways is already too high. So, please family and friends, let's celebrate in a way that we live to see another Memorial Day.
