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2022/05/27 - Mayor's Column: Memorial Day

 

­“AN OPEN DOOR TO O’FALLON”
A WEEKLY NOTE FROM MAYOR HERB ROACH


­­­On Monday May 30, 2022, 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. 

This year, we will be able to gather again and have both of our Memorial Day Ceremonies. The first celebration will take place at 9 AM at the City Cemetery and the second will be conducted at the Veterans Monument at 11:30 AM.

I would like to give a big shout out to the men and women that serve on the Veterans Monument Committee. Their time and care for this beautiful monument has been nothing but fantastic for the past 17 years and that is why it continues to be one of the best in the area.

I would also like to say THANK YOU to our VFW Post for their commitment and involvement with both of our ceremonies.

This holiday goes back to 1866 when citizens went out to decorate the graves of soldiers from the Civil War with flowers and flags. It then became an official Federal Holiday in 1971.

Over ONE MILLION men and women have made the ultimate sacrifice for us. In our City Cemetery we have the final resting place for those from the Civil War, WWI, WWII and 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 30th), please remember the real reason why we have this holiday.  It is to honor and say THANK YOU for a debt we will never be able to 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.