Memorial Day is a time to honor
and a time to respect those who have paid the highest price defending our
country and our freedom. It is a time to
remember the sacrifices of so many men and women who have given their lives for
our country because they believed in the ideals upon which this nation was
founded. It is a time to acknowledge
these American heroes for their service and their commitment.
What began as an act of decorating
the graves of fallen soldiers following the Civil War has grown into an annual
remembrance where citizens and surviving soldiers honor their fallen
comrades. For example, soldiers of the
3rd US Infantry place a small US
flag at each of the 260,000 gravestones in Arlington National
Cemetery and then patrol
the grounds 24 hours a day throughout the Memorial Day weekend to ensure each
flag remains standing. Although not
every celebration is to this detail, there are thousands of patriotic
organizations across this great nation where similar activities in cemeteries
are carried out as they honor the fallen soldiers from their communities.
Memorial Day is a time of
remembrance, of reflection, and of prayer.
Millions of Americans will visit the graves of loved ones to honor their
memory. There will be celebrations,
fireworks, and speeches to commemorate the day, and citizens from coast to
coast will spend time with family and friends quietly enjoying the peace we
have in our local communities. In the
midst of these activities it is important to never forget the reason we are
together: to honor those who secure the
freedom and safety we all enjoy. The
cost of freedom remains high. It is paid by the service and sacrifice of
Americans past and present who have given and who continue to give so very much
for our country.
On this Memorial Day, take time to
remember and give thanks to those in our communities who have served or who are
currently serving this great nation.
Remember the families who spend this holiday filled with memories of a
loved one who was lost in service to our country. Pray for the sons and daughters who are
currently in harm’s way as they defend our freedoms and our way of life. Pray for their family members who carry on
their daily lives as they worry about the well being of their child, their
parent, or their spouse who is currently serving. But most importantly, I ask you to remember
and pray for all those who give and have already given so very much for this
great nation as together we joyfully rise to acknowledge them, salute them, and
may God Bless them in their endeavors ahead.
As always, please feel free to
call, email, or write with your ideas or concerns. The Capitol number is (573) 751-1415, my
email is brad.lager@senate.mo.gov and
my mailing address is Room 422, State Capitol Building,
Jefferson City, MO 65101.
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