FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Memorial Day: Lest We Forget

May 29, 2006 -- Ringgold, GA – To most people Memorial Day just marks the end of the school year and/or the beginning of summer, and it seems many citizens never stop to remember over one million lives (see the chart below) that have stood for us in order that we might be free to celebrate this day.

July Fourth recognizes our nation's independence and November Eleventh honors our veterans.  May 30 is reserved for us to pay respect to those men and women who gave their lives in the conflicts that kept America free and continue to provide us liberty.

Originally known as Declaration Day, the holiday had its beginnings at the close of the hostilities of the War Between the States where over 600,000 died. Many cities around the country, including Macon, Georgia, claim to be the "birthplace" of the practice of decorating the graves of soldiers (both Union and Confederate) from the just-finished war, but ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery on May 30, 1868, are generally noted as the beginning of national observance.

Some people I know still call it Union Memorial Day, because the real day was April 26 for Confederates. It was not until 1966 that President Lyndon Johnson declared Waterloo, NY, to be the "official" birthplace and in 1971 that Congress declared the last Monday in May the "official" Memorial Day.

As a nation, it sometimes seems that we have the attention span of a child. A few years ago we started talking about the "greatest generation" and the spirit they showed in helping win World War II. Between December 1, 1941 and December 31, 1946, more than 16 million people served in the uniform of the United States. Of those more than 200,000 were women. Between WWI and WWII over 500,000 Americans gave their lives.

It was less than five years ago that around 3,000 Americans were killed by terrorist whose only reason why was - that we are free and they hate us for it. Patriotism flourished in the aftermath of September 11^th, 2001. The spirit of sacrifice, and the realization that it was indeed a war was declared on us that day, appears to have faded in the minds of too many.

The people who are responsible for declaring war on us cannot be neatly corralled in a nation-state that we can obliterate, and come home signaling the end of the war with a parade down 5th Avenue with bands playing & flags waving - then go about our business as usual. These hate filled people refuse to wear gaudy uniforms and goose step so that we can ridicule them on the nightly news. We are used to all problems being solved in a one hour time frame and 22 minutes of that hour are given over to commercials.

Americans have died this week, so that we can be free from the radical views these terrorist crazies want to impose on every man, woman and child who doesn't worship their god and look through the glasses of a 16th century world they want to keep. The bickering of politicians who would trade their patriotism (and some it seems their souls) for a few minutes on national television or grand standing for an election should not be the reward for families of the servicemen who have died in the service of our country. A flag draped coffin should never be the subject of some campaigning power hungry person whose only allegiance is to themselves.

The very real reason for all Americans to pause and pay tribute to the men and women who have died in the service of our country is to remind ourselves that freedom isn't free. Sometimes, it takes more than paying your taxes and singing the national anthem at football games to guarantee the opportunity to be critics of government and elected leaders.

Memorial Day: It is a time to remember and honor those who have died so that we may live.

“Again and again mothers who lost their sons in France have come to me, and, taking my hand, have not only shed tears upon it, but they have added, 'God bless you, Mr. President!' Why should they pray God to bless me? I advised the Congress to create the situation that led to the death of their sons. I ordered their sons overseas. I consented to their sons' being put in the most difficult part of the battle line, where death was certain. ...Why should they weep upon my hand and call down the blessings of God upon me? Because they believe that their boys died for something that vastly transcends any of the immediate and palpable objects of the war. They believe, and rightly believe, that their sons saved the liberty of the world.”  - Woodrow Wilson; Sept. 1919

I believe we all need to be informed about how our elected officials are representing us.  I am getting an inside view that I want to share with everyone.

Representative Ron Forster is serving his third two year term in the Georgia House of Representatives.   He Chairs the Interstate Cooperation committee and also serves on the Public Utilities & Telecommunication, Appropriations and Insurance committees.   In 2004 the American Legislative Exchange Council named him legislator of the year.   His email address is ron.forster@house.ga.gov and he has a website at www.gasrd3.org.

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State Representative District 3
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Last modified: May 29, 2006