“This Memorial Day is particularly important for our nation’s 27 million veterans.  Every year, they gather with family members, community leaders and military officials to pay tribute to their fallen comrades.  We fly the colors, fire a 21-gun salute and pay our most sincere respects to those who have given their lives for our country.

 

This year is a special occasion to reflect upon these sacrifices, as we consider the
accomplishment of so many who made the ultimate sacrifice serving in uniform on the
battlefields of World War II.  2005 is the diamond anniversary for those proud soldiers.  Sixty years ago, they raised the flag at Iwo Jima.  Sixty years ago, we signed a peace in Europe.  Sixty years ago, they broke the Axis powers’ front lines and advanced the cause of freedom around the world.

 

Officers and infantry.  Airmen and seamen.  In the Atlantic and in the Pacific.  At home and abroad.  They have defined valor through the ages because they served with such honor.

 

When I visit our nation’s veterans cemeteries and say a prayer, I am always touched by the role these brave Americans proudly played in our history. 

 

It is their spirit which carries our nation forward, even today.  The soldiers who sacrificed in service of our nation during World War II passed us a responsibility to remember them and continue their example.  For them, men and women proudly serve our country today in their perfect dress uniforms.  They snap off a crisp salute.  They are ambassadors of freedom around the world, and they are soldiers for the cause of liberty.  They are defenders of our homeland.

 

In conflicts since, Americans have rushed into the breach and sometimes given their lives for our nation.  There are cemeteries around the world with the remains of American soldiers – and we may never hear the story of their untold bravery.  There are cemeteries here at home where we know exactly what brave deed was done, and the terrible cost of their heroism.

 

For the soldiers no one knows who fell, other soldiers stand guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns.  For the ones who did not make it home, we fly our flags high. 

 

Memorial Day, especially, is a national holiday for patriotic reflection.

 

I urge every man, woman and child to take time this Memorial Day to attend one of the scores of community events around the Eighth Congressional District.  Take a moment to say a prayer for all of our veterans who made patriotic examples of their American lives and did not return to our Heartland alive.  Talk with the veterans we are lucky to have in our families.  Discover why this is such an important day for them.  Fly your flags.  Remember our history.

 

For families that cannot make it out this Monday, turn on public television this Sunday night and tune into the National Memorial Day Concert in our nation’s capital.  This year’s theme is “A Memorial Service for the Entire Nation,” and a crowd of hundreds of thousands of American veterans and their families will attend.  The event will pay a special tribute to the men who helped raise the flag at Iwo Jima.

 

Sixty years from now, the veterans of World War II will still be an inspiration to our men and women in uniform.  As today’s soldiers risk their lives to serve our country, they will do what we do on Memorial Day, and raise our hands in a thankful, proud salute.”