On the recordMay 20, 2014
Memorial Day is the day we set apart to honor those who have given the ``last full measure of devotion'' in service to our Nation. It is fitting that we quote Lincoln's Gettysburg Address to mark this day, because though Memorial Day was not federally recognized until 1967, its origins trace back to the Civil War, when observances of what was then called Decoration Day sprang up throughout the country. This Nation has been blessed by periods when war is not a recent memory; and in those times, the significance of Memorial Day can get lost in the pleasures of early summer, travel, and family barbecues. But we should always set aside time to remember the sacrifices made to safeguard our Nation. We are now well into our second decade of having troops continually in active theaters of combat, and many have experienced the loss of a loved one. Remember them in your thoughts and prayers, especially on Memorial Day. ____________________
