© 2024 WXPR
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Scocos Says Think About Sacrifices On Memorial Day

Wi. Dept. of Veterans Affairs

It's Memorial Day across the United States.

Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day and began to honor the soldiers for the Union and Confederate armies who died during the Civil War.

By the late 19th century, the holiday became known as Memorial Day and was expanded to include the deceased veterans of all the wars fought by American forces. In 1971, Memorial Day became a federal holiday.

John Scocos is the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary. He says Memorial Day is the most solumn of the nation's holidays...

".....it's a time when we reflect on the heroism of the past, pay respects for the deserving, and pray for those who continue to serve...."

Scocos says this is the 150th anniversary of Memorial Day, designed to bring together a divided nation. He says the sacrifice continues...

"...we're still engaged in operations in Afghanistan and again now in Iraq. We must look to our veterans, those who have made the ultimate sacrifice and their families and thank them on Memorial Day..."

Scocos says when he delivers a speech he likes to close the address with a quote from an inscription at Arlington National Cemetery...

".....and it reads, 'not for fame or reward, not for place or rank, not lured by ambition or goaded by necessity, but in simple obiedience to duty as they understood it. These men and women suffered all, sacrificed all, and dared all.' To me, that sums up what our veterans have done..."

Many communities across the Northwoods and the country will have ceremonies today.

Up North Updates
* indicates required
Related Content