DECORATION DAY EULOGY

DELIVERED BY DR. JARSO MALEY JALLAH, MINISTER OF EDUCATION, REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA

IN HONOR OF OUR FALLEN HEROES AND HEROINES

DECORATION DAY EULOGY

DELIVERED BY DR. JARSO MALEY JALLAH, MINISTER OF EDUCATION, REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA

IN HONOR OF OUR FALLEN HEROES AND HEROINES

His Excellency Joseph Nyuma Boakai, President of the Republic of Liberia;

Distinguished Members of the Legislature;

Honorable Members of the Executive and Judiciary;

Esteemed Religious Leaders;

Dedicated Educators and Stakeholders in Education;

Honorable Guests;

Members of the Press;

Students;

Fellow Liberians,

Today, we stand on hallowed ground, united by a solemn duty to honor the memory of those who have gone before us—our fallen heroes and heroines whose sacrifices have laid the foundation upon which our nation stands.

Decoration Day is not merely a time of mourning; it is an act of profound remembrance.

It is a sacred moment to reflect on the lives of men and women who dedicated themselves to the service of Liberia—leaders, educators, warriors of justice, and selfless patriots whose unwavering commitment shaped the course of our national history.

Their sacrifices were not in vain.

They labored tirelessly, endured hardships, and gave of themselves without reservation, all in the pursuit of a Liberia defined by progress, justice, and boundless opportunities for all.

Their voices may have been silenced by death, but their legacy echoes through the corridors of history, reminding us of the price paid for the freedom and dignity we enjoy today.

Yet, as we remember them, we cannot ignore the weight of their absence.

Their departure has left an indelible void in our hearts, our homes, our schools, and our communities.

We mourn not only the loss of their physical presence but also the unfulfilled dreams they left behind—the aspirations they carried for a better, more just, and more prosperous Liberia.

However, even in our grief, we find solace in a fundamental truth: their sacrifices endure.

They live on in the classrooms they helped to build, in the knowledge they imparted, and in the countless lives they touched.

Their dreams continue through every child who dares to hope for a brighter future, through every educator who remains steadfast in their mission, and through every citizen who upholds the values for which they stood.

As we observe this solemn occasion, let our remembrance be more than just a ritual. Let it be a call to action.

Beyond placing wreaths upon their graves, let us recommit ourselves to building the Liberia they envisioned—a nation grounded in wisdom, dignity, and opportunity for all.

Their sacrifice demands more than mere remembrance; it demands dedication, service, and a relentless pursuit of the ideals for which they lived and died.

Our tears today do not signify weakness but rather the depth of our love for those we have lost.

We grieve because we understand their worth, because we feel the void left by their absence, and because we long for their guiding presence.

Yet, amid our sorrow, we must summon the strength to carry forward their dreams.

Let us rise in unity, embracing their vision and ensuring that their spirit remains alive through our collective efforts.

Let us move forward with unwavering resolve, knowing that the greatest tribute we can offer is not just in mourning, but in actively working to fulfill the Liberia they so valiantly fought to build.

To our noble warriors, rest in eternal peace.

To our fallen heroes and heroines, may your light never fade.

Though you are gone, your love and sacrifice will never be forgotten, and your legacy will continue to illuminate our path.

May the Almighty grant us strength in our grief, may His boundless mercy bring us comfort, and may the souls of our fallen heroes and heroines find eternal rest in His divine embrace.