Today, we remember the courage of those who made the ultimate sacrifice and the extraordinary strength of their loved ones. We remember not just how they served, but why: to protect the ideals of freedom, democracy, and unity.

I’m thinking of heroes like Master Sergeant Nicole Amor from White Bear Lake, who earlier this year made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our country in Kuwait. Master Sergeant Amor was a dedicated soldier who served with distinction for nearly 20 years in the United States Army Reserve.

She lived a life of service and love for her children and husband Joey. Her enormous loss is a tragic reminder of everything our service members put on the line for our country. We continue to pray for the safety of all our service members serving overseas and we hold close the families who carry the weight of these sacrifices.

Honoring the heroes we’ve lost is a responsibility we all take seriously in Minnesota — no matter how long it takes to bring a hero home.

Last August — more than 80 years after he was killed in action — the Department of Defense identified the remains of U.S. Army Captain Willibald Charles Bianchi from New Ulm. He deployed to the Philippines during World War II where his bravery in the face of overwhelming enemy forces saved lives and earned him the Medal of Honor.

Captain Bianchi made the ultimate sacrifice as a Prisoner of War aboard a Japanese prisoner ship in 1945. He was 29. Earlier this month, Captain Bianchi completed his long journey home when we welcomed him to his eternal place of rest in New Ulm, where he grew up. And on that final journey, Minnesotans showed up to pay their respects to a man whose sacrifice helped secure our freedom.

Firefighters from Chaska stood along an overpass on Highway 212 saluting Captain Bianchi’s procession as it drove by. In Green Isle, Captain Bianchi’s procession was welcomed by a man with one hand on his heart and an American flag waving in the other. When they finally reached New Ulm, two members of Captain Bianchi’s family held a sign that simply read: “Welcome Home Cousin Bill.”

Moments like these remind us that while we can never fully repay the debt we owe our fallen heroes, we can make sure their sacrifices are never forgotten.

Someone once said to me that no one honors their veterans more than Minnesotans do. I couldn’t agree more, and I believe that we must also honor our fallen heroes by supporting veterans and service members who are still with us. This means making sure that veterans get quality health care when they need it; that they can get their disability claims processed; and that they can access their G.I. benefits — issues I’ve prioritized addressing so that veterans get the support they deserve.

To all those who served, who are serving, or who are remembering a loved one who made the ultimate sacrifice, we honor you today and every day. Your love of country represents the very best of America.