FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 23, 2014
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Donna F. Edwards (MD-4) issued the following statement to commemorate Memorial Day, observed on May 26, 2014.
“The history of the United States is filled with examples of valor and distinction, often found in defense of our nation’s urgency for liberty, equality, and democracy. The Civil War, lasting from 1861 to 1865, saw an incredible number of Americans perish for these ideals. To honor and remember the fallen and their sacrifice in the Civil War, Decoration Day was created. On Monday, the 26th, that tradition is carried forth, now known as Memorial Day.
“Following the conclusion of the Civil War, the fallen soldiers were honored locally around the country prior to the establishment of the national holiday. It is said that one of the first local springtime tributes to the Civil War dead occurred in Mississippi in 1866, where a few women visited a cemetery to decorate the graves of Confederate soldiers who had fallen in the battle at Shiloh. Struck by the sight of the bare graves of the Union soldiers nearby, the women decorated their graves with flowers as well.
“Decoration Day was established in an effort to unite the nation in the commemoration of its fallen soldiers. First celebrated on a large scale on May 5, 1868, three years after the end of the Civil War, in Arlington National Cemetery, the holiday continued to be celebrated until World War I. After the Great War, the holiday was reshaped and renamed Memorial Day to commemorate the fallen soldiers from each of the American wars. In continuation of this tradition, on Monday the graves of service men and women will be decorated with flowers around the country once more.
“Last week marked the 150th anniversary of Arlington National Cemetery. As a proud member of the bipartisan Women’s Caucus, I had the honor to once again take part in the Women’s Caucus Annual Memorial Wreath Laying Ceremony, an event in which our nation’s servicewomen and women veterans are honored for their courage and achievements, and the women who have died while on duty serving the United States are remembered. As a Member of Congress, it is a special honor for me to have both the responsibility and the opportunity to pay tribute to the service members of our day.
“In an ongoing effort to increase support for our veterans, last October I voted for a package of bills to improve veterans’ benefits which was passed out of the House. My support stems from a personal place as well as an ideological one, as both my father and brother served and sacrificed for our country. Moving forward, we must build on this legislation and ensure improvements are made at the Department of Veterans Affairs to better the lives of all veterans. We owe each of them a special debt of gratitude and peace of mind that they will receive the care their service deserves. Please join me this Memorial Day as we pay homage to the men and women who answer the call to serve and sacrifice in defense of this nation.”
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