Paying Respect on Memorial Day

Dear Saint Mary’s Community,

Every year, Memorial Day calls on us to remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation. Today we recognize not only the brave servicewomen and men who have lost their lives, but also their families and loved ones, who have in so many ways served our country through their support.

Inscribed on a memorial tablet outside of Dante Hall are the names of 41 brave Gaels who gave their lives in service to their country. Students, faculty, and staff walk by this memorial daily, and it serves as a lasting reminder of the sacrifice that members of our Saint Mary’s community have made in defense of our nation.

When you pass this memorial, I encourage you to stop for a moment and reflect. Consider what it truly means to serve others, and how this relates to the Lasallian foundation upon which Saint Mary’s is based. If, as John Baptist de La Salle suggested, we commit our lives to education, social justice, faith, and respect for all, then let us honor those who protect and preserve our ability to practice these values. 

I send this message to you on Memorial Day, but let us pay tribute every day. I hope you will keep the memory of those we’ve lost in your hearts and minds, and always remember what they have given to safeguard the freedoms we enjoy. 

Best regards,

Richard Plumb, PhD
President