Candice S. Miller: “shortly after the conclusion of the Civil War, a group of veterans began a tradition known as Decoration Day. The day…”

“shortly after the conclusion of the Civil War, a group of veterans began a tradition known as Decoration Day. The day was set aside to decorate the graves of the men who had perished during battle, and it was believed Decoration Day was always during the month of May because flowers needed for the occasion were finally blooming. Two centuries later, Decoration Day is now Memorial Day, but two core traditions remain: we honor those who died protecting our Nation, and we still do so in May when the flowers are blooming. Today, as our Nation spends it third consecutive Memorial Day at war, we remember the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice defending the precious gift of liberty. We honor the people who have left behind husband, wives, children and parents, as well as the riches and celebrations of life, to fight for the freedoms of all Americans; and we should remain always remindful of that symbolic tradition of Decoration Day, that flowers will bloom, a beautiful America will bloom from the sacrifices made by our fallen veterans. Mr. Speaker, we give thanks for the service of our veterans; and to those who served and paid the ultimate price, we give our deepest thanks. ____________________”