2021/05/24 - Mayor's Column: Memorial Day 2021
“An Open Door to O’Fallon”
A Weekly Note from Mayor Herb Roach
In this time of challenges in our country, and of serious conflicts over seas, we cannot forget the important holiday of Memorial Day. On May 31st, we will once again honor the men and women of our armed services that have made the ultimate sacrifice so that we can enjoy the freedoms that we have and that so many others wish they had.
Unfortunately due to some of our current limitations on gatherings and proper distancing, the Memorial Day Celebration at the City Cemetery and the Veterans Monument, will go on but not at the scale that they have been in the past.
Even though the crowds may not be the same, we still need to remember the over one million men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for us.
This holiday goes back to 1866 when citizens went out to decorate the graves of soldiers from the Civil War with flowers and flags. Due to all the decorations being placed on the graves it was originally called Decorations Day. It was changed from Decorations Day to Memorial Day in 1967 and became an official Federal Holiday in 1971.
In our cemeteries we have the final resting place for those from the Civil War, WW I, WW II and the wars and conflicts since.
While we decorate the graves of those buried in our cemeteries, let us not forget those that gave their lives but have still not received their proper burial, our M.I.A.
So, as we relax at home next Monday (May 31st), please remember the real reason why we have this holiday. It is to honor and say thank you for a debt we will never repay to the men and women who gave their lives for our freedoms.
May we always work every day to preserve the memory of our veterans and work to preserve the rights and freedoms that they gave their lives for.
As residents of O’Fallon, you should always be able to reach out to your elected officials and ask questions about what is happening in O’Fallon. Having open communications is important to me and something I care very deeply about. Thank you for reading, and please remember, my door is always open!