The following names are soldiers and civilians with Maine ties killed in Iraq and Afghanistan since October 2001. These men and women either lived here, were born here, or have immediate family living here.

Master Sgt. Evander Andrews

Maj. Jay Aubin

Cpl. Brian Kennedy

Spc. Daniel Cunningham

L/Cpl. Cedric Bruns

Sgt. Christopher D. Coffin

Sgt. Heath McMillen

CW5 Sharon Swartworth

Sgt. Nicholas Golding

Spc. Jeremiah J. Holmes

CW4 Erik Halvorsen

Spc. Christopher D. Gelineau

Sgt. Lawrence A. Roukey

Spc. Beau R. Beaulieu

Rex Sprague

Capt. Christopher S. Cash

S/Sgt. Craig Cherry

L/Cpl. Alexander Arredondo

Sgt. Lynn R. Poulin Sr.

Spc. Thomas J. Dostie

Sgt. 1st Class Michael D. Jones

Lt. Matthew Coutu

Spc. Joseph A. Lucas

Sgt. 1st Class Shawn Dostie

Spc. Joshua U. Humble

Sgt. Corey Dan

Staff Sgt. Dale James Kelly Jr.

Staff Sgt. David Michael Veverka

Capt. Patrick Damon

Pfc. Andrew Small

Darrell Wetherbee

Sgt. William Samuel Jackson II

Capt. Benjamin Keating

L/Cpl. Angel Rosa

Sgt. Jason Swiger

Spc. Kyle A. Little

Sgt. Christopher Wilson

Sgt. Edmund McDonald

Spc. Dustin Harris

Spc. Matthew Schneider

Lcpl. Dustin Libby

Staff Sgt. Eric Ross

There are 42 names on this list, but each man and woman is part of a larger group: the roster of those who have given their lives in the defense of the United States, to preserve our freedom and liberty, or restore these basic rights to the oppressed.

Today, Memorial Day, is their day.

We are a nation at war. While lawmakers wrangle over its beginnings, and its financial future, troops remain in harm’s way. The causes for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are rightly open to debate.

Supporting and honoring the soldiers who fight and have died in them is not.

Our nation remembers its wartime dead today. Bright new American flags have adorned the grave sites of soldiers from all conflicts. Parades will march through thousands of communities, large and small; an even greater number of hands will raise in somber salutes. Millions of tears will be shed.

We urge our national decision-makers to chart a sensible, united course out of these conflicts. We know it cannot happen tomorrow. We also know it cannot continue, in its current form.

This position isn’t political. It doesn’t come from dissatisfaction with the president, Congress or our military. It’s not about who-said-what-and-when. It’s not about defeatism. Our reasoning is simple:

Hearts break when names are added to this list.