One hundred and forty five years have passed since a business owner in Waterloo, New York, suggested that all industry close for one day to honor the fallen soldiers, who lost their lives during the civil war.  For one day businesses closed, widows place wildflowers on graves, townspeople made wreaths and crosses to place upon the headstones, flags waved proudly at half staff.  An American tradition was born. 

The "Memorial" in Memorial Day has been ignored by too many of us who are beneficiaries of those who have given the ultimate sacrifice. Often we do not observe the day as it should be, a day where we actively remember our ancestors, our family members, our loved ones, our neighbors, and our friends who have given the ultimate sacrifice:

• by visiting cemeteries and placing flags or flowers on the graves of our fallen heroes.
• by visiting memorials.
• by flying the U.S. Flag at half-staff until noon.
• by flying the 'POW/MIA Flag' as well
• by participating in a "National Moment of Remembrance": at 3 p.m. to pause and think upon the true meaning of the day, and for Taps to be played.
• by renewing a pledge to aid the widows, widowers, and orphans of our fallen dead, and to aid the disabled veterans.

Sacrifice is meaningless without remembrance. America’s collective consciousness demands that all citizens recall and be aware of the deaths of their fellow countrymen during wartime.

Far too often, the nation as a whole takes for granted the freedoms all Americans enjoy. Those freedoms were paid for with the lives of others few of us actually knew. That’s why they are all collectively remembered on one special day.

Before serving our veterans came from all walks of life and regions of the country.  They were united in a common thread, love and loyalty to country.  This bond allowed them to achieve monumental goals and made bonds that have lasted a lifetime.  

As America’s greatest generation of war veterans fast disappear from the country landscape and new veterans take their place, such traditions take on new meanings.  We look to the new veterans to be the stand-bearers to carry the torch of remembrance.  Such traditions will live on only if there is a vibrant movement to which that torch can be passed.  With two wars under way, that public has no excuse not to remember.

There is much that is owed and remembrance is the least we can do.

As in the past I would continue to encourage you to contact my office with ideas for this next legislative session and on individual pieces of legislation.  Now more than ever your ideas and opinions need to be heard, so we can begin to get Wisconsin back to work.  As before I will continue to work across the aisle to find common ground and move legislation forward.  Please do not hesitate to contact my office at (608) 266-3404, or Rep.Ripp@legis.wisconsin.gov. 

Please share this update with your friends and neighbors within the 47th Assembly District and if there is anybody you know who would like to be included please respond to this email with their email address. 

I want to remind everyone that my door is always open and you can always visit me at my Madison office in the Capitol (223 North).   Please do not hesitate to contact me with any issues you maybe facing.  You can call my office at 608-266-3404 or email me at Rep.Ripp@legis.wisconsin.gov.  I look forward to hearing from you.