Memorial Day Speech

Thoughts from a Soldier

Text of Memorial Day speech by Evan Mader, Quarter Master of VFW Post 1614.

Good morning.

My name is Evan Mader and I served in the US Army during the Gulf War. In fact, my wife Debra and I both did.

First, I would like to welcome everyone and thank you for coming to our Memorial Day Service.

I would like to thank several people who were instrumental in making this service happen: Roy Allmon, Mike Baldwin, Warren Spayth, Art Napiwocki, Dave Scott, Ross Kelsey, Nat Prescott, Rick Dinger, and Ray Larsen.

Also, the American Legion Post 288 and VFW Post 1614 has played a huge role in making today happen.

In the spirit of Remembrance, the VFW, American Legion, and members of our community are working on a project to expand this memorial to include the names of all veterans from all conflicts killed in action from the CV area. There is a rendering image of that in the back of your program. We want the memorial to be more prominent and to include those names to remind us all of the local lives lost and of the local families who have sacrificed in the name of Freedom and of America. It is my hope that on this day next year we will see that expansion as a reality

While we are trying to keep this service brief, yet meaningful -- many hours were spent in preparation -- park permits, program, set up, etc.

Speaking for the VFW and The American Legion and the gentlemen whose names I just mentioned, our goal in this program is to focus directly on the meaning of Memorial Day. To recognize and celebrate the lives of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the good of this great nation.

I would like to share a brief history of Memorial Day.

It is told that on May 5, 1866 in Waterloo, New York, a ceremony was held to honor the local veterans who had fought in the Civil War. Businesses closed and residents flew flags at half-staff.

Three years after the Civil War ended — on May 5, 1868, the head of the Union Grand Army of the Republic — Maj. Gen. Logan established Decoration Day as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers. Maj. Gen. Logan declared that Decoration Day should be observed on May 30 each year. It is believed that the end of May was chosen because flowers would be in bloom all over the country.

By the end of the 19th century, Memorial Day ceremonies were being held on May 30 throughout the nation.

It was not until after WWI that the day was expanded to honor those who have died in all American wars.

In 1971, Memorial Day was declared a national holiday by an act of Congress. It was also placed on the last Monday in May.

In December of 2000, the US Congress passed and the President signed into law, “The National Moment of Remembrance Act” creating the White House Commission on the National Moment of Remembrance.

The commission’s charter is to encourage the people of the United States to give something back to their country, which provides them so much freedom and opportunity.

The National Moment of Remembrance encourages all Americans to pause wherever they are at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day for a minute of silence to honor those who have died in service to the nation. The founder of the Moment of Remembrance, Carmella LaSpada, states, “It’s a way we can all help put the Memorial back into Memorial Day.

The sacrifice of the fallen heroes of our armed forces is meaningless without remembrance.

Far too often, the nation as a whole takes for granted the freedoms that all Americans enjoy. Those freedoms were paid for with the lives of others few of us actually knew. That’s why they are collectively remembered on one special day.

Our armed forces and all veterans fought to protect and preserve our freedom. That freedom allows everyone in America the liberty to protest and voice our opinions.

Memorial Day has lost much of its original intent and meaning to politics, commercialism or opportunity, and general indifference.

In recent years I have witnessed politicians and others seizing the opportunity to grandstand and further their political or personal agendas while speaking at Memorial Day programs or services. I find this grossly inappropriate, disrespectful, and misguided.

Memorial Day is not the day to protest the war in Iraq, taxes, government spending, to seek votes, etc.

I urge you to remember what Memorial Day is all about.

It is not just a BBQ, a party, and a day off of work — it should be regarded as a civil obligation to take some time on Memorial Day to reflect and remember what those fallen heroes have done for us.

This is a national debt that can only be truly repaid by individual Americans. By honoring those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, we preserve their memory and thus their service and sacrifice in the memories of future generations.

How can we properly observe Memorial Day?

Attending commemorative ceremonies is probably the most visible way of demonstrating remembrance; placing flags at gravesites, marching in parades, dedicating memorials, patriotic attire, are all examples. The National Moment of Remembrance is something that should be encouraged and executed by every U.S. citizen with the same regularity and tradition as midnight on New Year’s Eve.

Whether done individually or collectively, it’s the thought that counts. Personal as well as public displays of patriotism are essential if the notion of remembering our war dead is to be instilled into our children and generations to come.

Above all, in an attempt to pay back our debt as American citizens we must not only remember the fallen, but it is our responsibility to teach our youth that nothing comes without cost.

The courage possessed by the men and women that we are honoring today is something that cannot be taught. The willingness to die for their country truly makes America the home of the brave and the land of the free.

As we stand together today, on the 141st anniversary of Memorial Day, we are reminded that the cost of freedom comes with a high price in human terms. And as we, as a nation, mourn the lives lost, we celebrate the lives lived and are forever grateful.

Let us also remember, pray, and give thought to the families of these fallen heroes whose sacrifice is equally worthy of honor and gratitude.

Again I thank everyone for your attention and for coming today.

In our effort to keep this service brief and to the point I will close now.

May God bless our departed heroes, their families, and may God continue to bless America.

Thank You.