BROOKINGS Monday morning brought to the Daktronics Room, Dacotah Bank Center, what has now become an annual observance, with much Brookings community participation: the American Legion, the VFW, the mayor, various service organizations and the Brookings High School group Strings Attached, directed by Kathy Winghart. A highlight of the observance was the keynote speaker, with this years address was delivered by U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds, R-South Dakota.
The senator thanked those in attendance who gave of their leisure-time activities to honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of our country. We are forever grateful for that, for defending our freedom and our way of life in these United States.
Rounds gave a brief history of Logans General Orders in 1868 that brought in what was originally Decoration Day, set for a time when the flowers would be in bloom.
At the end of World War I the observation was expanded to honor all those who had died in all of Americas wars. In 1971, Memorial Day was declared a federal holiday by Congress.
The name of the holiday may have changed, but its ideals and intentions have not, the senator noted. South Dakotans have a long history of answering the call to serve our country. We also have a long history of honoring their service and thanking their families.
He added that nearly every county in South Dakota has at least one memorial honoring local veterans. And near the capitol grounds in Pierre we have memorials honoring veterans from the Civil War, World War I, World War II, Korean War and Vietnam.
Rounds noted that South Dakota has two veterans cemeteries where countless families have said their final goodbyes to those who have worn the uniform of the United States of America. He encouraged those in attendance to visit those cemeteries near Sturgis and one in Sioux Falls. These cemeteries serve as an ever-present reminder of the service and sacrifice that allow us to be here today and to celebrate Memorial Day with our families and friends.
During his eight years as governor, which also made him the commander-in-chief of the South Dakota National Guard, the senator talked about his sending nearly 5,000 young men and women off to fight for our countrys freedom. We would be with them to send them off and we would be with them in celebration when they came home.
Finally, youre back, youre safe. This means a lot. But it also says that you have committed to sacrifice that time away but you also put yourself in harms way. For that we should always we grateful.
Today we recognize the loss of those individuals who gave that ultimate sacrifice. But we should never forget all of the rest of those veterans who offered their lives but who were fortunate enough because of the will of God to be able to return to their families, friends and the community that loved them so.
Rounds added that remembrance of our veterans shouldnt be just one day out of the year but every day from this day forward.
In his closing remarks, Rounds harked back to the days of John F. Kennedy: President Kennedy had some of the most memorable messages that many of us grew up with. This one, I think, says a whole lot in a few short words. His message: As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not the uttering of words but to live by those words.
So today we say: thank you for your service, thank you for your sacrifice. But lets never forget to not only utter those words but to live by them.
Contact John Kubal at [email protected].
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