History Lessons: Time Has No Speed Limits, A Father's Day Tribute

By Carol Harper

I have many cherished memories of my father, Charles Starks. He turns 90 this year, and what a life well lived! As I look back on my own timeline, I've come to realize that what Dad has taught me about life and the living of it came through talent, hard work, and enjoying the little things that could be missed if you aren't actually looking for them.

My own kids and I have had conversations of what it was like to be raised in the Generation X era, but I believe it's better to understand how our parents were raised in their time. My parents were born in 1936, during the Depression era, and my dad grew up out in the Pavillion prairie in tar-paper shacks with outhouses. Can you imagine how cold that would be in the Wyoming winters? Dad told me that as kids, his brothers and sisters would gather around the stove with their blankets open, get them reallly hot, then run to their beds and wrap themselves tightly to hold the heat in. He was a farm kid, and told me he had to get up very early in the morning, before the sun rose, to milk the cows and work. Both of my parents taught me that there was a time to work and a time to play. I carry those words with me to this day. Depression era kids really knew what it was like to do hard work to survive...pretty applicable to this very day!

And Dad worked very hard for our family as one of the most sought-after welders in Wyoming, certified in a variety of welds...which meant he was in demand and was away from the family a lot, traveling all over the state. It also meant that time with him was very precious. As a young child, I really didn't have a have a concept of time, so in hindsight, I would describe it like having a father in the military, just  randomly "deployed" to remote areas like Gas Hills or Lysite (he also told me he was a part of the crews that blew out the tunnels in the Wind River Canyon). I'm proud to know that the work my dad did is a part of Wyoming's stuctural history, but my own favorite memories were when would come home covered in and smelling like dirt and oil...and I would run and jump into his arms anyway. I didn't care. Dad was home, and that's all that mattered.

Speaking of work, I wrote a little bit about how my mother was instrumental in my music life in my Do It Better writing, but my father was the one out working hard to not only provide for our family, but to pay for my lessons, tuitions, books and eventually a baby grand piano. I'd be up at 5:30 AM to practice for a couple hours before breakfast, and when I was done, there was big breakfast on the table, most of the time fixed by my dad (to this day, his pancakes are second to none. No one makes pancakes like my dad. And I mean, no one.)

I felt special when Dad could take me to an oil rig out in the middle of nowhere. One memory stands out where I was dressed up in my little cream-colored dress with pastel flowers on the hem, white frilly socks, and shiny black patent leather shoes. I sat in the truck, and had coloring books, crossword puzzles and paper to draw on. I'd listen to old school country music on the AM radio and watch the traveling block on the rig go up and down until I fell asleep. It was usually dusk by the time he was done, and we'd go back home, country music still playing on the radio. I was able to experience my Dad's work day at a very young age.

I don't know if any of the locals remember the ornamental fence he built around the property, and a very intricately designed gate. We always had a beautiful yard and a huge garden every year, and dad was always out prepping it it all, surveying it often, working on the sprinkler systems, etc. He would create ornamental spiral stairways (those were popular in the 70s), and it seemed like he would always be on-call to help people, even during the holidays...fences, cattle guards, trailer hitches. Amazing. Here's a man that worked so hard out in the field, and then came home...and did more work!

But when we played, we played hard. We'd take the boat out to Ocean or Boysen lakes and waterski, go fishing and have picnics in the mountains, take road trips and stop at every historical marker and learn about the places in Wyoming. We'd visit Devil's Tower, Independence Rock, Castle Gardens...but the thing my dad always wanted to do was stop in Farson for ice cream, or in Shoshoni for their famous malts. "I want some ice cream at the ice cream store..." and he'd turn the car into parking lot, sometimes even against my mom's will (but hey, my brother and I never complained)! I love how his spontaneous inner child shone through at random moments. 

And speaking of driving? (Okay, Dad, I have to say it)...not the best driver. Remember, he was a farm kid. My mom would constantly get on him for having one foot on the gas and one foot on the brake. He would be driving along and then suddenly slow down, sometimes to a crawl...and take his eyes off the road. My mom would shriek, "Keep your eyes on the road!" We'd always wonder why he'd do that, but my mom said that he was "looking at the crops". Or he'd speed up at random times, with little or no regard for speed limit signs. My dad and I once took a trip up to Greybull (this was just a few years ago), and he actually got stopped by a cop out of Worland for 'speeding' in a 45. It was both embarrassing and entertaining to watch the cop approach my dad's rolled down window, and saw who was driving. "Do you know what the speed limit is here?"  I was smiling and thinking, "Um no. Here, meet my Dad." 

Talk about distracted driving! In his defense, though...my dad always had a deep appreciation for Wyoming's beautiful landscapes and scenery, the mountains, the sunrises and sunsets. Sometimes we'd stop and take a little hike to view a hill of wildflowers, or he'd pick a strand or two of sagebrush, rub it with his fingers and say, "Smell!"  Sights, colors, and the sounds of nature. I remember as a kid once, that he was out on a job for a very long time, and sent me a postcard with a photo of a Meadowlark on it (not the car, lol), and explained that it was Wyoming's state bird. I love the sound of meadowlarks to this day. I've learned that it's more about the journey rather than the hurried trip to get from point A to point B and back again, and to remember it as a metaphor to living my life. It's the little things, the details, that we might miss along the way.

I'm one of the the blessed who can say that my father is a good man. Time has no speed limits, and everything is in constant motion. Many times I think that we go way too fast down all of these interstate highways of supposed "progress" that we forget to slow down for the details of Life. Sometimes I get distracted by all of the work, worries, and problems I face, and forget to play and play hard. Sometimes I get so focused in on my own time and need to remember God's Time and places in the grand scheme of things. What a beautiful world God has created for us to enjoy, and Wyoming is the best place to experience it.

Happy Father's Day, Dad! I'm glad I came home to God's country.

For the beauty of the earth,
For the glory of the skies,
For the love which from our birth
Over and around us lies.

For the wonder of each hour

of the day and of the night,

hill and vale and tree and flower,

sun and moon and stars of light.

For the joy of human love,

brother, sister, parent, child,

friends on earth, and friends above,

for all gentle thoughts and mild.

For Yourself, best gift divine,

To the world so freely given,

Agent of God's grand design:

Peace on earth and joy in heaven.

Christ, our Lord, to you we raise

This, our hymn of grateful praise.

Taxes, Timelines, and Transparency: The 3/4-Cent Sales Tax

By Carol Harper

I recently made several lenghty comments on a friend's Facebook post regarding their opposition to the 3/4-cent sales tax. The heading on the post was capitalized, surrounded by emojis, reading: "COMMUNITY SAFETY SHOULD NOT COVER AIRLINE DEFICITS AND POLITICAL RAISES. VOTE NO ON THE 3/4% SALES TAX."

Folks can get sucked into anything on social media. Everyone can have their opinions and biases, often to the point of torches and pitchforks. But today, I am writing this because there has been a lot of misguidance and misunderstanding as to the reason why this 3/4-cent sales tax is on the ballot.

This is for informational and educational purposes; I'm not going to tell you how to vote. But it is apparent that folks need to get an understanding of what has been happening for the past nine months that got us here.

The first thing that first responders do is: Assess the scene. So kinda consider me in the role of  "dispatcher" in my attempt to help you get that understanding.

(Please read this in its entirety, I put a lot of work into this. LOL)

_____________

September 2025

• JCFKS is formed, with the first meeting held in the training room of the Riverton ambulance station. From there, the committee meets weekly.

• An email group is formed by FCAG Administrator Tim Nicols. Includes all mayors of FCAG, commissioners, public leaders, local and regional media, the communities, and all interested parties, with agendas and minutes, and a Zoom link is created for all meetings, which are public and welcomes public comment.

• Members of the committee are invited to do ride-alongs with EMS providers to understand day-to-day operations.

• Members and advisory sub-committee collect information and data for all three services, starting with the ambulance service, since it is the most critical and the contract between the County and Priority Ambulance ends June 30, 2026.

• JCFKS Chairperson Mick Pryor and other members of JCFKS attend the public meeting regarding the Rural Health Transformation Act in Wyoming in Lander. Committee also consults with other county and regional EMS service providers in the state for sustainable models.

November 2025

• Recommendation report delivered by JCFKS to FCAG by their November deadline. The funding alternatives were presented.

• FCAG moves that the JCFKS move forward in researching the funding alternatives. JCFKS continues their research and data collection.

Challenges:

• The State of Wyoming does not recognize EMS as an essential service, putting the burden upon the people and their local governments.

• Data provided from the County is outdated by 10 years (2016).

• Important and relevant information and documents are withheld from the County and were not accessible to the JCFKS to make accurate evaluations and estimations as to costs.

• Commissioner Thomas is absent to meetings and walks away from FCAG. Commissioner Jones replaces Thomas.

• No transparency by the County as to whether the contract with Priority will be renewed, or the ambulance service would be put out for RFP (deadline June 30, 2026)

• One member of the JCFKS took up the offer to do ride-alongs with the EMS crews.

January-May 2026

JCFKS recognizes that, in order to proceed with one of the alternatives (a sales tax), there is a legal process required and to be followed in order to get an initiative on the August ballot. Deadlines for the committee were established; resolutions were presented by the JCFKS to the county, municipalities of FCAG, as well as the Intertribal Council. A majority of FCAG municipalities passed the resolution. A PAC was formed.

March 2026

The Regional Ambulance Service Evaluation Committee is formed as a partnering committee with the JCFKS. How the ambulance service will be funded continues to be the top priority, whether or not the ¾-cent sales tax passes.

Current Challenges:

• As the June 30 contract deadline draws near, Commissioner Mike Jones is largely absent from the RASEC meetings. The County Commission is still not transparent about negotiations and fate of the ambulance service. No agreement to date.

• The RASEC is not led by current EMS leadership and providers, but by the Shoshoni Chief of Police, creating (in my opinion) a conflict of interest. Note: Shoshoni had purchased their own BLS (Basic Life Saving) ambulance and recently seceded from the ¾ cent sales tax, with Dubois doing the same. However, if the tax passes, their municipalities will still get the funding.)

• RASEC Chairperson hinders the progress of the JCFKS under FCAG at the last meeting, and allows the County control of the narrative of the process(es), delaying would-be progress that was already initiated back in September. (NOTE: The other option on the table is to pursue the possibilities of getting EMS back as a county-run service. This is currently under rigorous review; however, solutions for a solid, sustainable service are nowhere near complete, and could not realistically be implemented or sustainable for an estimated 1.5 to 2 years, given the state of the County’s severe depreciation of EMS assets re: ambulances and stations, plus the associated inflationary costs, upkeep, repair, maintenance, etc.)

• The public has been not present for public comment or input. (Some/very few have.) Social media posts explode with opposition to the ¾-cent sales tax based upon opinions. Due to the lack of public interest, participation and understanding of this funding option and the understanding of the role of the JCFKS, false narratives are created and widespread. The PAC is unprepared for the backlash.

• Current “State of the Stations”: In the meantime, morale is very low. The EMS service is severely understaffed during a peak season, and the crews are exhausted. EMS providers aren’t picking up additional shifts, and/or are leaving to take better paying jobs elsewhere, either in or out of state. There are community events (rodeos, motocross events, fairs, festivals) and a heightened wildfire season that additionally burdens the crews to be on standby.

Summary/Commentary:

When the time of need arrives, the time for preparation has passed. FCAG had the foresight to act upon the economic needs of three key services back in August/September. Knowing that Wyoming doesn’t recognize EMS as an essential service, but that their constituents do…and knowing that the contract between the County and Priority expires on June 30th, FCAG made the ambulance service the top priority. As you can clearly see, the 3/4 -cent sales tax was the only option due to the urgency of the situation, and this has been continually reflected in their decision-making processes.

So to ask: "Where did the money go? at this point, now? Too late. The money is not there; that question was already asked! The County Commissioners should have been transparent with the public from the very beginning and for the past 10 years as to how our EMS services are run under a corporate entity, and every time the service transitioned under a new corporation (these transitions are very difficult on EMS operations and crews). They were not.

So...if you really want to know where the money went? Ask your Commissioners! They’re the ones who put the service out for RFP. They’re the ones making decisions behind closed doors. They’re the ones who are wined and dined by corporate interests (which is illegal, by the way). They’re the ones who don’t do their due diligence and consult with their EMS director, staff, and providers before making those decisions, which is why our EMTs had no choice but to unionize for fair wages (which are still the lowest in the state). There has been no oversight of funds and expenditures, no public or oversight committee keeping the Commissioners accountable. If they were, the JCFKS wouldn’t have had to struggle with cost estimations in order to make sustainability projections.

If you vote against the 3/4 -cent sales tax, the problems won’t disappear. The issues and the impacts remain:

• Uncertainty and/or disappearance of sustainable ambulance services for present and future generations.

• Lack of transparency, foresight, and financial mismanagement by the County Commissioners in funding a critical, life-saving service.

• Lack of interest and investment in maintaining and improving the service (aging ambulances and equipment, competitive wages to attract EMS providers, etc.)

• Lack of public interest, attendance, and input until problems are exacerbated.

• Political obstructionism and grandstanding that divides leaders, city/town/tribal councils and citizens, delaying the inevitable.

If you do vote for the 3/4 -cent sales tax, there will at least be enough funding to get through the challenges and hurdles as we progress towards a sustainable model for the service to get back to being locally owned and operated. As of now, there is nothing, and the County continues to apathetically decide the fate of the service with corporate entities.

This is a passive tax that both businesses and consumers pay into, that even tourists and visitors will pay when they visit our county. But mind you, this isn’t just “free money” to be spent how the County or municipalities please, or to continue to rob Peter to pay Paul. They’re not available for private or start-up businesses to apply for (The half-cent didn’t pass because of this, and this is what got us into this ‘no-vote’ mindset in the first place.)

And I get the opposition. Some folks I've spoken with say that they definitely want the ambulance service and transportation, but not the airport. I also hear folks saying that they’d vote for it if it were just ambulance service. Still more think that transportation needs to get more and the airport less. Believe me, I get it! But remember...the time for public comment and input is over, done...and this isn’t like choosing whether you want Hunts or Heinz ketchup for your hot dog. The reality is that the County Commissioners are choosing for us without any oversight (you will have Heinz ketchup, whether you like it or not).

This sales tax has a sunset date in four years. So if, in four years, you don’t want the airport and transportation, we can just put EMS back on the ballot. OR…maybe we wouldn’t even need to, if FCAG’s JCFKS has successfully assisted us all with a sustainable model for a locally-run service again. Wouldn’t that be nice!

But in the meantime, give your ambulance service a fighting chance! And please! Vote wisely in the upcoming elections when it comes to your County Commissioners and city councils. Vote for those who will be accountable, transparent, and accessible to their constituents. Vote for those who accept oversight for their actions and transactions, not just force their way into the processes mid-stream. Vote for those who will respect and listen to those on the front lines of EMS and actually know how the operations work and what it entails, boots on the ground. Vote for someone who will show up! I have more respect for a leader who might not know the answer(s), but say: “I don’t know, but I will do my best to find out and get back to you”...rather than table it until another meeting, sweep it under the rug, stick their heads in the sand, be asleep at the wheel, ignore the problems and slap bandaids on them…until it becomes a critical issue, and then they bring garden hoses to a wildfire in the form of opinionated rhetoric.

And be rightly informed and educated! Opinions are not facts. If you have concerns, questions, or inquiries, go to a JCFKS meeting at WRTA, or listen in via Zoom on Wednesdays at 12:00 PM. See below. Get added to their email list.

And if you want to “Ask An EMT” email me at: fremontcountyems@gmail.com. Come do a ride-along! Sure, you can have ambulances and stations, but there is no service at all without our providers! Talk to those who know what's going on in the field now, today...because EMS is not the same today as it was yesterday.

Funding critical services like an ambulance service isn't just a problem here in Fremont County. It's a problem all across the nation, so I'll say it again: If you want to know the truth about your community, ask a first responder.

Thank you for reading!

.....

PUBLIC NOTICE OF RECURRING JOINT MEETINGS

JOINT COMMITTEE ON FUNDING KEY SERVICES AND

REGIONAL AMBULANCE SERVICE EVALUATION COMMITTEE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Joint Committee on Funding Key Services and the Regional Ambulance

Service Evaluation Committee will hold recurring joint meeting sessions each Wednesday from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

The meetings will be held at the following location:

Wind River Transportation Authority Facility

2554 Airport Road

Riverton, Wyoming 82501

The meetings will also be accessible to the public by virtual means through the attached Zoom link.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87542789880...

These recurring joint meetings will be held each Wednesday unless otherwise canceled or amended by proper

public notice.

This notice is provided in accordance with applicable public meetings requirements and for the purpose of

informing the public of the time, place, and manner in which these meetings will be conducted.

Coffee With A View: We, the Powerful

After the American Revolution, George Washington went home. Then he went back to preside over the Constitutional Convention, became the first U.S. President, resigned from the Continental Army, and then…he went home.

For those who call Wyoming home, our way of Life is either as simple or as complicated as we make it. But leaving a legacy–your stamp on the timeline–isn’t about the business of politics. It is very much about that way of life, and how it is genuinely served and lived.

And Life is in a state of constant motion. The ocean is a perfect example in observation of powerful waves and breakers, turbulent undercurrents, ebbs and flows, silently rising tides with forces that can flow into unyielding rushing rivers..and with over 70% of the planet covered by water, it is a power that is often underestimated.

I think that many were unprepared for Hurricane Trump. Whatever side (or middle) of the political spectrum you’re on, it is not difficult to ascertain that the cause and effects have been beneficial for a few, but devastating for the unprivileged many who are drowning, suffering, dying, or trying to pick up the pieces of a shattered life. Yet, every election year, no matter what the state of disaster, there is a consistent power of its own that reveals itself…

The Power of the Voter.

Once again, as we deal with all the propaganda, sign and billboard pollution, grandstanding, name-dropping, mudslinging, crabs-in-a-barrel mentalities, the barraging social media campaigns of candidates tooting their own horns…the power of the vote still remains in the hands of We the People. And it can be very difficult to swim through the soup, drown out the noise, and try to reach the shore with an educated vote that we hope won’t compromise our lives, liberties, and pursuits of happiness. You have to choose the right people to do the right things for the right reasons.

But who are the right people? What are the right things? The election year circus is on the road, and my approach this year is to act as my own ‘ring leader’ and ask myself: What is my criteria for a candidate who is vying for my vote?

Here’s my own list; let me know if yours might be similar. These are not typical questions a political panel moderator might ask…it’s more like a job interviewer. But these are things that are important to me as one who holds the power of the vote. (And this is my short list!)

• Do they make statements or promises during campaigns, then excuses once they’re in office…pass the buck and do the blame game? I really don’t know how much more gaslighting this country can take.

• Are they honest, trustworthy, and accountable? Why should I trust them with the keys of the city, the county, the state, the nation? Are they fiscally responsible, or do they play the shell game and rob Peter to pay Paul? Do they steal ideas from others and call them their own? Do they take undue credit? Do they listen to gossip and hearsay? Do they spin the truth?

• Do they manage their time wisely? Do they know the demands of the job? Time management is important; do they meet deadlines? Are they present or absent? Do they account for their time wisely, or create more bottlenecks by dropping the ball because of the lack of preparation? Do they table important issues and let them slip between the cracks, hoping they’ll go away and/or unnoticed? Do they have answers or report their findings at the next meeting, or did they make excuses for lack of due diligence? Do they have any foresight, or just fly by the seat of their pants? Or do they just float along with the status quo?

• Are they transparent? Communication is key. Do they make decisions behind closed doors, then pass edicts and decisions that affect an unaware public? Do they omit important information that the public has a right to know? Can they admit if they’ve made mistakes, and do their best to rectify them…or do they deflect? Does the left hand know what the right hand’s doing?

• Are they accessible to their constituents? Do they manage their communications effectively…answer their phones, return messages, answer emails? Do they follow up?

• Do they pander to their political affiliation? Do their party cohorts, friends, family, colleagues, etc. influence or do the thinking for them? Are they genuinely considerate and listen, or are they distracted elsewhere and can't be bothered? Are they team players, or dismissive of We the People? Do they objectively base their thoughts and decisions on facts or mere opinion?

• Are they above the law? Do they think the law doesn’t apply to them, and hire attorneys and fixers to save face? Contrary to this nation's declining state of integrity…character, morals and values still matter to me. A lot.

• Are they hypocritical? Do they practice what they preach? Are they two-faced? Matthew 23 says it all. Look it up.

• Are they wise? You can be intelligent, but not very smart. You can also be smart, but not very intelligent. With experience comes wisdom, and with that comes an understanding about the people you serve. Do they consult with those who might be more wise and experienced?

• For the re-elected: Are they resting on their laurels? If they are, maybe it’s time for them to go home.

• Are they sober-minded? Effects of alcohol on the brain include: Impaired judgement and decision-making, slow reaction time, poor coordination and balance, memory problems, and mood changes. Even if one might say they’re moderate or a “social drinker” it doesn’t take away from the lasting effects that alcohol has on critical thinking skills. I had friends that would joke around about being “functional” alcoholics. Really. Functional? Does that include the hangover, associated headaches, and lack of motivation the next day? I remember my drinking days, and quite honestly, I would’ve called myself anything but functional!

I know, this is quite a wish list, and believe me, I’m not looking for superhumans here. But I’ll tell you right now, I would have more respect for our elected officials, regardless of political affiliation, if I knew that these were the qualities they hold.

And, at the same time, there is a responsibility that We the People have in order to hold our leaders accountable, long after the elections are over:

• Can we accept the outcome of the elections and move forward, not back?

• Do we show up at city council or commissioner meetings? Do we show up to the relevant committee/sub-committee meetings? If the public isn’t present to comment for the record, what is it we expect?

• Do we really understand the issues, and call out our elected officials if they are doing something untowards? Do we take the time to communicate with them, or write letters to the editor?

• Are we a part of the problems, or the solutions?

If we aren’t doing our due diligence, we have no room to talk when the rains come, streams rise, and winds blow (Matthew 7: 24-27) We do more damage playing armchair politics in front of our glowing screens, pointing fingers, complaining, throwing out misguided opinions, thinking we’re experts and authority on any given subject, splashing misinformation in the mudpuddles of social media.

What kind of legacy will your candidates leave? Once in office, our leaders need the ability to take the helm and steer, even through uncharted waters and storms that lie ahead. Not an easy job! Help them to be better, do better. Hold them accountable, so when they go home at the end of the day...or the end of their term(s)...they can know that they were that right person who did the right things for the right reasons for the People who cared enough to believe they could.

"Elections belong to the people. It's their decision.

If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds,

then they will just have to sit on their blisters."

- Abraham Lincoln

History Lessons: "We Are Here For Them."

Carol Harper

When I visited Washington D.C. in November and walked through Arlingon National Cemetery, nothing could prepare me for the vast amount of graves. The above photo is just one section of the entire cemetery, and there was a point on our walk where myself and fellow Stars of Life friends fell silent. The reverence. The awe. There are no words.

At the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was where it really hit home: The living...ourselves and the crowd around us...and the unknown dead. The Marines changing guard, keeping constant watch. Being there in person made a lasting impact on me.

This last Saturday I assisted the American Legion and VFW with putting Memorial Day flags next to the graves of our fallen heroes. My section included my Grandpa Stephen A. Starks (WWI). My birth grandfather, Frank Quintana, was a pilot in WWII, and all I remember is seeing the newspaper clipping of his obituary. My birth father was in both the Navy and the Marines, and served in Vietnam.  My uncle Jim Starks served in the Army 82nd Airborne Division, and my uncle Ralph Starks served in the Navy (Korean War) as a radarman on the U.S.S. Tingey, and in his obituary, it reads: "Though Ralph was proud of his service, he was equally troubled that the path of war is often too quickly chosen by nations."

I had a lot of flags to place in my section of Mountain View cemetery, and I was able to place all of them...except for one. I searched everywhere, and knew I was in the right place, but a headstone or plaque was nowhere to be found. As I narrowed my search down, I noticed a rectangular patch of dry grass in a space between all of the graves, as if it would be a place where a plaque would be laid, but there were no other identifying factors for the name on my list. So I placed the flag next to the patch of dry grass, and stood there in silence.

As I got ready to leave, I stood back and viewed my entire section and said a prayer, and on my drive home, my thoughts flooded back to Arlington and all of the tombstones. The names of those MIA. The countless lives lost. That freedom comes at a great cost, and that I am here, now...living and breathing in what I believe to be the most beautiful state in the nation. 

The weather was perfect for today's Memorial Day service. The speech that Commander Nancy Eustice delivered was beautiful, and rather than summarize, I would like to share it with you below. Whereas I had, and to this day, have no words to describe the ultimate sacrifices made for all of us, here they are:

Veterans, Family, Friends, and Honored Guests,

Since the founding of the United States 250 years ago, it is estimated that more than 558 million Americans and immigrants have called this nation home. More than 1.1 million of them have died defending the United States in wars and combat actions since the American Revolution. Each one had a story. Each one had a family. Each one left behind a legacy of service and sacrifice.

The crosses at Normandy. The graves at Arlington.

The 1,885 to 1,900 Wyomingites who have given their lives in defense of our nation since statehood in 1890. And the fallen heroes who rest in places unknown.

We are here for them.

How could we not be moved by the breathtaking sacrifices that generations of Americans have made--and continue to make--on our behalf?

We do not forget, because we are here for them.

For 250 years, Americans have answered the call to defend liberty, preserve freedom, and protect the ideals upon which this nation was founded. Throughout that history, Wyoming's sons and daughters have proundly stood among them.

This year, as we commemorate 250 years of American independence, we honor their service, remember their sacrifice, and reaffirm our commitment to preserving the freedoms they helped secure.

We are here for them.

From those who threw themselves upon grenades to save their comrades, to those who gave their lives rescuing shipmates from the sea, this day reminds us that ordinary Americans have often displayed extraordinary courage.

Yet Memorial Day is not only about those who fell on distant battlefields. It is also about those left behind.

We must never forget the families of our fallen. Long after the guns have fallen silent and the bombs have stopped exploding, children still miss a parent. Spouses continue their lives without their partners. Parents carry the grief of their sons and daughters taken far too soon.

As Americans, we have a responsibility to be present for them. While no one can replace their loved ones, we can offer compassion, support, and the assurance that their sacrificies--and the sacrifices of those they lost--will never be forgotten.

We are here for them.

While many of us will enjoy time with family and friends this Memorial Day weekend, we must remember the price that was paid for the freedoms we enjoy and the American way of life we often take for granted.

Remembering and honoring those who did not come home is the true meaning of Memorial Day.

Let us remember that freedom has no greater friend than the American Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Marine, Coast Guardsman, and Space Force Guardian.

The truest way to honor the fallen is to live lives worthy of their sacrifice. That means stregnthening our communities, helping our fellow veterans, supporting military families, and teaching the next generation whaet this day truly means.

We must tell their stories. We must say their names.

We must ensure that our children and grandchildren understand that the freedoms they inherited were paid for with courage, service and sacrifice.

We are here for them. For those who served. For those who sacrificed. For those who never came home. For the families who carry their memory forward...

We are here for them.

Thank you, God bless America, God bless our Veterans, and God bless our Gold Star families.