Representative John Keenan Speaks at
SALEM – State Representative John Keenan (D-Salem) participated in the parade and ceremonies in Salem today in commemoration of Memorial Day. In addition to delivering a proclamation from Governor Mitt Romney, the Representative spoke briefly on the meaning of Memorial Day. Representative Keenan, a lead cosponsor on legislation establishing a bonus for Massachusetts veterans of the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, spoke as part of a moving ceremony in the late morning at Greenlawn Cemetery in Salem. Representative John Keenan’s Memorial Day 2005 Remarks It is an honor to speak with you today. Today, of all days, we take time to reflect on immense sacrifices. Sacrifices by those who willing risk their lives that we may remain free and secure. We call this day Memorial Day, but it is not only to remember those who have left us. We pay tribute to the veterans of today’s conflicts. To those who are with us still; to those who have returned to us wounded in any fashion; and to those who have departed us. Our hearts are filled with gratitude for those who put their lives on the line in the cause of our country. Our hearts are filled with compassion for those who came home wounded in the cause of liberty. Our spirits are filled with devotion for those who sacrificed the breath of life in the cause of freedom. When we talk about supporting veterans programs, we must not ask: what can we afford? We must ask: what do they need? We cannot do too much for them. We can only do too little. What compensation can we offer these true patriots beyond our prayers, our love, and our unending respect? Beyond financial assistance packages and bonuses? Beyond words of praise on a solemn day once a year? There is no measure of gratitude we can offer up sufficient to those things which our veterans have offered up for us. We ask the men and women in the services to give their best when called to arms. We therefore must be ready to give them our best when they lay down those arms. We call them to service, but we must be prepared to serve them and their families once they have returned. We call this day Memorial Day, but in our hearts we must memorialize our veterans every day. We set aside time today for these tributes. But we do them all a disservice if this is the only memorial day of the year. This day is not long enough to encompass all the remembrances worthy of a memorial day. Let us, therefore, resolve together now, that the shining light from their service to us will neither dull nor darken when the sun sets on this day. Let us resolve together to make every day a memorial day. Thank you all so much and God bless America.
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