Dear Sussex County Residents,   As Memorial Day approaches, many will wish one another a “happy” or “long” weekend. But I ask that we pause to remember the true meaning behind this day, one not of celebration, but of solemn remembrance.   Memorial Day is a time to honor the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation. It’s about the flag-draped coffins, the final salutes, and the empty chairs at dinner tables across America. It’s about people like Army Sgt. 1st Class Mihail Golin, a Green Beret who laid down his life on January 1, 2018, while serving in Afghanistan.   Sgt. Golin was a proud American who emigrated from Latvia, enlisted in 2005, and served multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. He was killed by enemy fire while on patrol with the 10th Special Forces Group, an elite unit trained for the toughest missions. His courage earned him two Purple Hearts and the respect of a grateful nation.   But we must also remember the heroes whose wounds were invisible. Those who may have returned home but for whom the battlefield never truly let go. Some carried the burdens of war deep within, until they could carry them no longer.   They, too, deserve our remembrance. Their pain, though unseen, was real. Their sacrifice, though quiet, was profound. This Memorial Day, let us do more than enjoy a day off. Let us reflect. Let us give thanks. And let us resolve to honor every fallen hero by living lives worthy of their sacrifice. On behalf of the Sussex County Republican Party, may we keep their memory alive, not just today, but always.   Their duty was to serve. Ours is to remember.