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[Page S3072]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
MEMORIAL DAY
Mrs. BLACKBURN. Madam President, as I reflected on Sergeant Smith's
story, I began to think about Memorial Day and the ways we honor the
valor of every soldier who has made that ultimate sacrifice. One of the
first official Memorial Day observances was in 1868, and it was just
over the Potomac River in Arlington National Cemetery. If you have not
been there to honor those who have given the ultimate sacrifice, I
encourage you to do that.
In 1868, individuals gathered to honor those who had lost their life
in the Civil War, and they gathered to decorate the graves of the
fallen, both the Union and Confederate soldiers. This set a precedent
for what would become a national day of unity. Think about that, a
national day of unity, of mourning, and of remembrance. As the years
went by, Americans took greater steps to memorialize the fallen and
those who have exercised valor and have chosen to make that ultimate
sacrifice.
After World War I, observances were expanded to honor those who fell
in all American wars. Finally, it was in 1971 that Congress declared
Memorial Day to be a national holiday. Since then, each year, at the
end of May, cities across the Nation have lowered their flags to half-
staff as a silent reminder of the cost of the freedom.
Just like Sergeant Smith, the fallen warriors we honor this Memorial
Day made a choice to serve this Nation. They knew it wouldn't be easy.
They knew it would be dangerous or even deadly, but they knew that it
would be worth it because it would be a step in preserving freedom and
freedom's cause. It is this choice--and the choice to serve bravely and
selflessly on behalf of a grateful nation--that we remember, as we
debated crucial legislation supporting our Armed Forces.
Memorial Day marks the conclusion of Military Appreciation Month,
which has provided each of us an opportunity to unite and reflect upon
the heroic courage of all the members of our Armed Forces. We thank
them continually for the service they provided and the sacrifices that
they and their families make on behalf of this Nation and freedom.
Yesterday, members of the Armed Services Committee--of which Madam
President and I are each a member of this committee--completed our
first steps in ensuring that this year's National Defense Authorization
Act fully funds the resources our military needs to defend against the
threats that we face on land, by sea, in air, and of course in the
cyber realm. Our proposed $750 billion national defense budget will
more than support this goal and includes a much-needed and well-
deserved pay increase for our military men and women.
The NDAA, as it is called in an acronym that we hear around here so
regularly, is just one piece of our greater promise to care for
soldiers on and off the battlefield. As Members of Congress, we have a
duty to keep the promise to those who bravely defend the safety and the
security of the American people. Also, we have a responsibility to
those whose brokenhearted vigil we join this Memorial Day weekend.
Just as valor lived in the hearts of the fallen, so does their
sacrifice endure in the life of every person blessed to call this great
country home.
I yield the floor.
I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Ms. CORTEZ MASTO. I ask unanimous consent that the order for the
quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
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