In Memoriam

NEWS RELEASE    ---     From the Office of Representative Shelley Keeney - 156^th District

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:	CONTACT:    Rep. Shelley Keeney
May 20, 2011	(573) 751-5912

 In Memoriam

On this Memorial Day weekend, many Americans will assemble before monuments, visit cemeteries and line the streets during parades commemorating the lives of loved ones who have passed on.  We may reflect on the more than a million American service members who have lost their lives in this nation’s wars.

Older generations may recall that Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day in remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service. There are many stories as to its actual beginnings, however, Memorial Day was officially proclaimed by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11. It was first observed on 30 May 1868, and flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery.

It is not important who was the very first to commemorate this day -- what is important is that Memorial Day was established as a way to come together to honor those who gave their all.

In your family, the type of commemoration may vary, but what we all celebrate stays the same -- the ultimate sacrifice for liberty.  We live in a nation that has remained the flagship land of the free -- due to the brave members of our military who have put our country before their own lives.  Freedom has always been at the forefront of American battlegrounds, whether the wars were fought on our own soil in the nation’s early years by our forefathers -- or on lands across the seas.

When a soldier goes into warfare, it is with the knowledge that he or she might not return home.  That recognition does not weaken their fight. And it is for that courageousness that we are forever indebted, and it is for the lost fight that we are full of sorrow.  The brave men and women who do not make it out of war alive are more than just a statistic or an engraved name in a plaque.  Each is a person who was loved, who left behind family, friends, a home and a community.  Each one deserves to be remembered and honored for paying the ultimate sacrifice for their country, now and in the future.

As we live and breathe today, the ranks of the nation’s veterans grow, some of whom will unfortunately perish so that liberty can thrive.  Thousands of American men and women are defending the tenets of democracy in Iraq, Afghanistan and a host of other politically unstable regions around the globe.  America’s service men and women are to be thanked for their efforts; especially the Seals who went into Pakistan on their mission.

Traditional observance of Memorial Day has diminished over the years. Many Americans have forgotten the meaning and traditions of Memorial Day.  At many cemeteries, the graves of the fallen military are increasingly ignored or neglected.  Most people no longer remember the proper flag etiquette for the day.  While there are towns and cities that still hold Memorial Day parades, many have not held a parade in decades.  Some people honor any and all deceased family and not just those fallen in service to our country.

No matter how you commemorate Memorial Day, I encourage everyone to take time to reflect on the loved ones who have passed on, what they meant in our lives as well as the service men and women who left this Earth in the name of the American ideals we cherish so much.

I know many of you have been affected by the flooding or have weather-damaged properties -- or know someone who has suffered damages in our Southeast region and even farther south now.  Recovery is never an easy thing -- mentally or physically-- and one may even look for something or someone to blame.

When things like this happen, any government assistance programs are first dependent on counties being officially declared (approved) for disaster relief.  This is not usually a quick process. One may be eligible for assistance from the state (http://sema.dps.mo.gov/) and/or federal (http://www.fema.gov/index.shtm) government; but that type of assistance does not help you to accomplish the back-breaking work of cleanup or the heartbreak of moving if all is lost.

The County Emergency Management Director is always a good place to start for pertinent information; but if you need assistance in making contact with the Statewide Emergency Management System; please feel free to contact my office.  If you can access the web, it has a host of disaster assistance information at http://www.disasterassistance.gov/home/

As always, I appreciate hearing your comments, opinions and concerns.  Please feel free to contact me in Jefferson City at (573) 751-5912. You may write me at: Shelley Keeney; Missouri House of Representatives; State Capitol 313; Jefferson City, MO 65101 or email me at: Shelley.Keeney@house.mo.gov.