Remembering, Honoring, Thanking and Saluting This Memorial Day

Submitted by Senator Jerry Behn

All across the country this weekend, in parks, cemeteries and schools, Americans will join with neighbors, family and friends to commemorate Memorial Day and pay homage to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom and liberty.

These moving tributes are an awesome reminder of the generations of Americans who answered a calling to serve a cause greater than themselves so that others could live in the greatest country the world has ever known.

Thousands of men and women, many from here in Iowa, are today serving all over the world. Many of these brave men and women are stationed in dangerous areas of the world under hostile conditions. Like those who proudly wore the uniform before them, they have left their families, their communities and their jobs to defend our great nation from those who wish to do us harm.

However, honoring our brave men and women in uniform – past and present – must not become just a tradition that happens one weekend every May. It is our duty to ensure that our veterans, members of the reserves, National Guard, active duty personnel and their families are given the appreciation they have earned, every day.

Every year, the Iowa Legislature, with broad bi-partisan support, passes legislation that benefits veterans and their families.  However, we can and should strive to do more.

We must provide them and their families with a state that provides ample job and career opportunities, safe communities and world class schools. We can accomplish this by doing more to encourage a climate where career creation can flourish while keeping taxes low and reducing the overall cost of government.

There is no question that these men and women who today proudly serve our country, like those before them, deserve our continued support and respect.

So as you gather this weekend with friends and family at Memorial Day ceremonies or backyard barbeques, continue to be ever mindful that because of the sacrifices of those who proudly wear our nation’s uniform, we can fully enjoy the blessings of life, liberty, freedom, opportunity and prosperity.

There is truly no price that any of us can put on that.

As always, I want to hear from you and can be reached by phone at 515-281-3560 or by e-mail at Jerry.Behn@legis.iowa.gov

Jerry Behn

Senate Republican Leader

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