[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 69 (Monday, May 23, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S5776]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              MEMORIAL DAY

  Ms. STABENOW. Mr. President, I rise today to reflect on this year's 
Memorial Day and the importance of this holiday in American life.
  As I attend Memorial Day parades and commemorations, I am struck by 
the spirit of national unity because I know that across Michigan and 
across our Nation our fellow Americans are taking part in similar 
gatherings where we take the time to reflect on our history and the 
sacrifice that brought us to where we are today.
  Memorial Day is unique among American holidays. On Memorial Day we do 
not honor a particular date or event, a battle or the end of a war. On 
Memorial Day we do not honor an individual leader--a President or a 
general. On Memorial Day we do not even honor ourselves at least not in 
the present tense.
  On Memorial Day we pay homage to the thousands and thousands of 
individual acts of bravery and sacrifice that stretch back to the 
battlefields of our revolution and to those taking place today in the 
deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan.
  This year, Memorial Day has a special significance as the 60th 
anniversary of the battle of Iwo Jima. This past February marks the 
dates in history that cost nearly 26,000 lives. The service members 
involved in that battle responded with courage and bravery. Iwo Jima is 
one of the most important battles of World War II. On behalf of a 
grateful Nation, we pay respect to the veterans of Iwo Jima and those 
who made the ultimate sacrifice.
  This Memorial Day we also honor the men and women currently serving 
in Iraq and Afghanistan. We must honor our commitment to them by making 
sure they have everything they need to complete their mission and come 
home safely. We must also keep our promises to those who proudly served 
our country by making sure they receive the benefits they deserve.
  So, as we observe this holiday we call Memorial Day, let us remember 
the centuries of sacrifice by the many men and women that this day 
represents. And let's make sure that all who served with honor are 
honored in return.

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