Memorial Day: A Time for Gratitude and Reflection

Memorial Day is Monday, May 30th -- a time for gratitude and reflection to those who paid the greatest price. Many of us celebrate Memorial Day as the beginning of summer. Picnics and barbeques are our staples. As we enjoy this day, let's remember those who have fought to make it possible for us to enjoy our lives.

Memorial Day gives us the opportunity to signify that we remember those who have been lost, and that we acknowledge their sacrifice. Each time that Americans are called to fight for freedom, there are men and women that answer the call. Some of them do not return home to their families and friends. These are the men and women we honor.

America has a history of fighting to protect freedom. On Memorial Day, we should take time to honor the fallen heroes of every generation, from those fighting for America's independence in the Revolutionary War, to those that fought the spread of communism in Vietnam. Our country's history makes the debt we owe to those who fight for our freedom clear. Every lost service man and woman leaves a family and friends. They are brothers and sisters, daughters and sons, mothers and fathers.

Right now there are soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines answering the call to duty by serving in Iraq and Afghanistan to protect our country from the threat of terror. Every day, units are deployed to the Middle East, and some of these brave individuals do not return home. Much like many communities across our nation, our community has also suffered losses and the families of these men and women are forever in our thoughts and prayers.

As part of your Memorial Observations, I invite you to take a few minutes on Monday, May 30th to watch "The View" on ABC at 10:00 a.m. where the hosts will discuss Missouri's Heroes Way Interstate Interchange Designation Program. As part of the show, the mom of one of Missouri's fallen heroes, Sgt. Michael Beckerman from Ste. Genevieve, will discuss this program for Missourians to honor those heroes who have given the ultimate sacrifice protecting our freedoms.

The Heroes Way Interstate Interchange Designation Program was created in 2009 to allow our interstate interchanges to be named for service members who were killed in action in Iraq and Afghanistan. This tribute includes memorial signs placed at their home interchange in remembrance of the sacrifice these courageous service men and women made protecting our freedoms. To pay for these memorials, the not-for-profit Heroes Way, Inc. was created to help raise money for qualifying military members in the state who have made the ultimate sacrifice. To donate or for more information on Heroes Way, Inc., contact Ross Gartman at g.man1212@hotmail.com

We cannot let the memories of those who fought for all the rights we all too often take for granted fade. This Monday, I hope you will join me in recognizing the value of courage and selflessness and remaining proud of what our military men and women are willing to give up for our safety.

Contact Me

As always, I appreciate hearing your comments, opinions, and concerns. Please feel free to contact me in Jefferson City at (573) 751-2459. You may write to me at Jason Crowell; Missouri Senate; State Capitol; Jefferson City, MO 65101, or email me at: jcrowell@senate.mo.gov or visit me on the web at http://www.senate.mo.gov/crowell.