Keeping the Memory of Fallen Soldiers Alive

May 24, 2010, SMYRNA – In the time I’ve served in Congress, Middle Tennessee has seen brave men and women leave our neighborhoods to serve in conflicts around the world, from Kuwait to Somalia to Afghanistan. Whenever the United States has asked volunteers to serve, Tennessee’s brave young men and women have stood up to serve their country and put their lives on the line in our nation’s defense.

Each time one of our servicemembers has been deployed, or one of our National Guard units has been called up, we’ve collectively held our breath and kept them in our prayers. Each time our troops have come home safely, we’ve celebrated their return and honored their service. And every time a Tennessean has fallen in the line of duty, we’ve mourned the great loss together.

Our shared grief is real, but it is just a fraction of the loss felt by the families of those that fall in service, who continue to feel that pain every day and every year.

Memorial Day is our chance to reach out to those families that have lost not just a soldier, but a family member, and remember those who fell in service to our country—not as numbers, but as parents, friends, sons and daughters. It’s a time to help those families remember their loved one as a hero and reassure them that no soldier will be forgotten.

Memorial Day is also an opportunity to reach out to veterans in our community because for them, too, Memorial Day is a time to remember fallen brothers or sisters and recount their own memories from their service.

My father and uncle served in World War II, and I’m sure it was sometimes difficult for them to return home to familiar roads and faces, but some of their friends on the battlefield never had the same opportunity.

For some veterans, sharing stories of the heroism of those who made the ultimate sacrifice helps to honor their memories.

The Library of Congress offers a way for veterans and other individuals to keep the memory of fallen soldiers alive through their Veterans History Project. Its goal is to collect stories from veterans of every era, to preserve each unique experience for future generations.

The Library of Congress’ website has tips about how to participate whether you are a veteran yourself or you would like to interview a veteran. A record of those stories and memories, and submissions of photographs, diaries and letters are compiled by the Library of Congress to become part of our nation’s historic record. I encourage everyone to visit www.loc.gov/vets to be a part of this nation-wide project.

Most importantly, I encourage everyone to honor the sacrifices of servicemen and women of all generations this Memorial Day, and keep their memories alive throughout the year.

Congressman Bart Gordon of Murfreesboro represents Tennessee's 6th district in the U.S. House of Representatives.