Today is Patriots’ Day.

Marathoners are crowding Boston’s streets, and, if the weather holds, the first pitch at Fenway Park will crack into Jason Varitek’s mitt at 10 a.m. Maine is one of three states – Massachusetts and Wisconsin are the others – observing this quintessential New England holiday.

Today we celebrate our nation’s beginnings, the shots heard ’round the world at Lexington and Concord, and the effort by ragtag colonists determined to fight, and die, for their freedom as an independent people, by tossing off the yoke of the oppressive rule of King George III and Britain.

Most of all, this holiday honors the deep sacrifices made by Americans in fighting injustice and preserving liberty.

Sacrifices like those made by Staff Sgt. Chad Staples, who today lies severely wounded in Walter Reed hospital in Washington, D.C. An Army Ranger from Jay, Staples was injured in a firefight in Baghdad, Iraq, on April 10.

Our thoughts, and prayers, are with Staff Sgt. Staples and his family.

Critics of the Iraq conflict may cringe at comparisons to the American Revolution, but commonalities are apparent: an innocent people, oppressed by a dictatorial regime, are being liberated from years of mortal fear and fierce tyranny. American blood is being shed for freedom and justice.

These are the qualities we, as Mainers, celebrate today. For without them, without the sacrifices made by soldiers like Staff Sgt. Staples, the stability of American life today would be far less firm.

Amidst the powerful rhetoric of the presidential campaign, Iraq has become a potent political weapon, wielded most often by candidates to bludgeon each other. Look at Sen. John McCain, whose stalwart support for the war, and the troops, is identified as a dragging anchor on his presidential aspirations.

Debate on causes, and resolutions, of war are necessary, and last long after the final shots are fired. The American Revolution remains a rich topic of historical review and revision, two centuries after Paul Revere’s ride, the Boston Tea Party and the Continental Army’s long winter at Valley Forge.

Certain aspects, however, are unchangeable: respect for those who set this country’s foundation and devoted their lives so we, as Americans, could thrive. In today’s heated debate over war in Iraq, it’s sometimes easy to forget this.

Today is Patriots’ Day. There is no better time to remember.