Memorial Day Ceremonies

I will speak at two places today as the Round Lake Area remembers our nations veterans. The first place I will speak at the village's memorial at the corner of 134 and Cedar Lake Road. The text of my remarks there are as follows.

Thank you all for coming to honor those who have served our country across the years.

Today we deservedly honor many, but I want to focus on one who fought in World War 2 and came home to have a family and live a long and productive life, my father in law Christopher Rozakis. Today we are flying his flag above us.

Many however were not as lucky as my father in law to return from their service and live a full life. Here in Lake County, we have lost 13 brave soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan.

• Marine Sgt. Edward G. Davis III, of Antioch
• Army Specialist. William D. Dusenbery, of Lake Zurich
• Army Staff Sgt. Donald B. Farmer, of Zion
• Army 1st Lt. David L. Giaimo, of Waukegan
• Army Sgt. Terry M. Lisk, of Fox Lake
• Army Capt. Shane Reichert Mahaffee, of Gurnee
• Marine Lance Cpl. Sean P. Maher, of Grayslake
• Army Specialist Jaime Moreno, of Round Lake Beach
• Marine Pfc. Geoffery S. Morris, of Gurnee
• Army Sgt. 1st Class James S. Ochsner of Waukegan
• Army Specialist Uday Singh of Lake Forest
• Army Maj. Paul R. Syverson III of Lake Zurich
• Army Specialist Wesley R. Wells of Libertyville

The parade then moved to the Round Lake Beach Memorial which is where there was a longer ceremony where I made the following remarks.

When I was a boy the military heroes of history were my idols. Lord Nelson, John Paul Jones, Generals Patton, Pershing, Mac Arthur, Eisenhower, their courage and valor still are remembered today. Such was my fascination with their exploits that when I had the opportunity to choose a major in college, I chose military history.

What I’ve learned from the past is that it’s not just the well-known heroes who deserve recognition, but the ordinary, every-day people who served their country. These veterans deserve the respect and gratitude of all citizens. Without their dedication we would not enjoy the freedoms we have today.

Memorial Day is the time to remember all veterans for the sacrifices they made for all us. Many fought and died, still others were injured or disabled. All of them loved their country as we do here today.

Surely it is not too much to suggest that we take a few moments away from the chain of lakes, and our barbecues, to recognize the supreme sacrifice made by more then one million of our fellow countryman and women.

Surely we can take the time to visit a cemetery and look for the grave of a fallen solider and leave a flag or a flower. We can’t be that busy can we?

Earlier today at the veteran’s memorial in Round Lake we had a small ceremony where my father in law’s, a world war two veteran’s, flag was lowered to half mast, and I read the names of the 13 soldiers from Lake County who have lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Memorial Day is not the only day we should remember these veterans. We must keep the memory of their sacrifices in our hearts every day of the year. Thank you