[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 75 (Wednesday, June 2, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E985]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             FALLEN HEROES

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. SCOTT GARRETT

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 20, 2004

  Mr. GARRETT of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, each year, Memorial Day gives 
us the opportunity to honor the brave men and women who have so 
selflessly stood in harm's way to protect the fundamental freedoms of 
our great nation. Our soldiers have made so many sacrifices from the 
Revolutionary War, to the World Wars, to the modern day engagement in 
Iraq. All of our military personnel deserve our utmost respect, 
gratitude and care. The great sacrifices that they have made must not 
be forgotten.
  Army Spc. Kyle A. Griffin of Emerson, New Jersey, is one such brave 
soldier whose sacrifice we must recognize. He laid down his very own 
life for liberty fighting in Iraq this past year, while defending the 
very freedoms and rights Americans enjoy today. He did not die in vain, 
but with a very noble mission in mind--to protect our nation and our 
citizens against those who wish to see us fail. We must always remember 
the valiant efforts of Spc. Griffin and continue to pay tribute to all 
soldiers who have paid the ultimate price.
  In 1868 Major General John A. Logan established a ``Decoration Day'' 
on May 30 as a day of remembrance for the dead of the Civil War. 
General Logan ordered his posts to decorate the local cemeteries ``with 
the choicest flowers of springtime'' to honor the thousands killed 
during those four terrible years.
  General Logan's original Decoration Day proclamation called us to 
honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice, ``We should guard their 
graves with sacred vigilance . . . Let no neglect, no ravages of time, 
testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have 
forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic.''
  However, the remembrance and dedication General Logan meant to 
preserve through Decoration Day, seems to have gotten lost over the 
many years. A recent Gallup poll found that just 28% of Americans are 
able to explain why we celebrate our modern day version of Decoration 
Day--Memorial Day.
  We may sometimes take for granted the many liberties we enjoy in 
America, but they have all been earned through the sacrifice paid by so 
many of the members of our armed forces. Many soldiers have died for 
our liberty and prosperity. They acted with patriotism and commitment 
to their country. We owe them a huge debt of gratitude.
  I urge you to take this charge to heart and honor those who made the 
ultimate sacrifice for our country by stopping what you are doing at 
3:00 p.m. on Memorial Day to participate in the National Moment of 
Remembrance. Consider what the world might look like if not for the 
service of generations of Americans in uniform. Take a moment to 
remember those who gave their lives, so that you may have freedom. But, 
don't just stop there.
  Take time throughout the rest of the year to reach out to the members 
of our armed services who are fighting freedom's newest enemies. While 
we take this day to honor those who have given so much for our freedom 
in the past, our thoughts should also be drawn on a daily basis to the 
brave men and women of our armed services who are fighting for the 
cause of freedom and democracy around the globe today. Tell them that 
the citizens of our state and nation are grateful for their service, 
and thank them and their families for the daily sacrifices that allow 
them to serve.
  We must always remember our fallen soldiers, our veterans and our 
military currently serving as we celebrate Memorial Day. They deserve 
the highest praise of all.

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