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State Senator Bill Beagle
Honoring the
Fallen on Memorial Day
For nearly a century and a half, Americans have come together at the
end of May to celebrate a day honoring those who have given the
ultimate sacrifice. While we enjoy the warmer weather, cook-outs, and
spending time with friends and family, it is important to remember the
real meaning behind this holiday.
Although there are different versions of how Memorial Day began, one
story goes that the grieving soldiers' families, both north and south,
began decorating the graves of their lost loved ones with flowers and
wreaths. In one city in Mississippi, people decorated the graves of
both Union and Confederate troops out of respect for the families of
the Union Soldiers, and with the hope that someone would do the same
for their lost loved ones in the North.
These informal honors led to the first formal Memorial Day observance
in Waterloo, New York, on May 5th, 1866. Congress officially recognized
Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, as a federal holiday in
1887. Just as they do across the country today, small American flags
were placed on each grave in memory of the service the fallen soldier
had given to the country.
Since then, many traditions to remember fallen soldiers have come and
gone, but it is more important than ever to celebrate and remember the
over 1.3 million Americans who have died while fighting in our nation’s
wars. These Americans are sons and daughters, moms and dads, husbands
and wives. We must ensure the significance of this day is not lost. We
owe a deep debt to those who have served and sacrificed, and their
families who bear the burden of their absence.
This Memorial Day, let’s commit to do more to help and honor our
veterans and their families. Together, we should make a constant
commitment to raise our youth with respect for our history and the
sacrifices made by millions to preserve this land of freedom,
opportunity and safety.
American soldiers come from all walks of life and many of them are
ordinary citizens who do something extraordinary. Millions of them have
died defending our freedoms and way of life. This Memorial Day, as we
watch parades and enjoy time with family and friends, take time to
reflect and remember those from our hometown and across the country who
have served and fallen but will never be forgotten.
Senator Bill Beagle serves the people of Ohio’s 5th Senate District,
which includes Miami and Preble Counties as well as portions of
Montgomery and Darke Counties. He presides as the Chairman of the
Senate Committee on Workforce & Economic Development. Learn more at
www.OhioSenate.gov/Beagle.
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