For David Honse, three simple words sum up everything Memorial Day stands for.

Courage, honor and sacrifice.

"I find it unique that three words that are so deeply ingrained into our thoughts about the defense of this country have such small definitions, but such huge visuals on how we look at our servicemen and women," he told the crowd gathered at Pleasant View Cemetery on Monday.

Honse, a Desert Storm veteran who served a decade of military service, noted the tremendous sacrifice each service member makes when answering the call. Some never make it home, which is something he thinks about every day.

"Every person who puts on our nation's uniform sacrifices something of themselves to fulfill the other two definitions," he said. "We owe the highest respect and gratitude to those individuals who give the supreme sacrifice of their own lives for those they have never met."

Honse pointed out that only 1 percent of Americans ever don a military uniform during their lifetimes. That's a heavy burden to carry when protecting the freedoms and liberties of an entire nation, but one that they do proudly and honorably.

Acknowledging that statistic is important for the remaining 99 percent, Honse explained.

"While other nations merely feel that national defense is an obligation of citizenship, Americans show that we understand a tiny minority provides a blanket of freedom to a vast majority of our citizens and the citizens of the world," he said.

NICK PEDLEY/SENTINEL-NEWS

Stacey Powers and Darcy Powers receive the flag dedicated in honor of their father, the late Tom Powers.

Honse believed it is the duty of every American to protect the values, freedoms and liberties held dear in the United States, not just the 1 percent that serves. He said cementing those ideals for future generations to enjoy is the best way to honor the men and women who gave the supreme sacrifice.

"With courage of spirit, honor of actions and sacrifice of self, we will succeed," he said. "It is my prayer...that we honor the payment of the previous generations for the freedom we so clearly take for granted. At the same time, continuing to defend that freedom for future generations so that the light of freedom will not go dark on our watch."