The True Meaning of Memorial Day

Memorial Day is usually a time spent with family and friends, having a barbeque, or celebrating the start of summer. However, it is critically important to remind our children and remember the true meaning of this holiday. 

Memorial Day, which was originally known as Decoration Day, originated after the Civil War as a springtime tribute to fallen soldiers. The ceremony was marked by prayer and the decorating of fallen soldiers’ graves with flowers. Memorial Day, which occurs on the last Monday of May, was officially established as a federal holiday in 1971. It has evolved to commemorate fallen American military personnel from the Civil War through the Wars on Terrorism in Afghanistan and Iraq. It is an important day to take a moment and reflect on their sacrifices. 

Memorial Day is a solemn reminder of the millions of Americans who tragically lost their lives while serving our country. Without the sacrifice of our men and women in uniform, America would not stand. Our ideals of freedom and democracy are only possible due to their service.

Honoring fallen heroes is a major priority for me in Congress. In April, I introduced H.R. 7417, which would designate the Seminole Post Office as the Sergeant Bret D. Isenhower Memorial Post Office Building. My legislation successfully passed through the Oversight and Government Reform Committee and is now awaiting a full vote in the House of Representatives. Sergeant Isenhower is one of many individuals that deserve recognition for their service and sacrifice. 

As a member of the Armed Services Committee, it is my honor to work on issues that affect our military. It is imperative that the United States maintain our competitive advantage over our adversaries and prevent conflicts before they occur. As President Ronald Reagan laid out in the Reagan Doctrine, we must recommit to the idea of peace through strength. This motto is the most effective way to safeguard our servicemembers. Our defense budget must be robust enough to modernize our military and meet this motto. However, it is not enough to care for our service members while in uniform; we must also help the families and individuals who have lost loved ones. This starts with the families of the 13 fallen servicemembers who were killed during the Afghanistan withdrawal. 

The United States is the home of the free because of the brave. Memorial Day is just one opportunity to honor our fallen service members and remember their service. We can never say thank you enough.