Virtually the entire political class of Florida's leadership wishes you and yours a happy Memorial Day and wants you to honor the men and women who lost their lives in the country's defense. Here are some of their voices:
We offer our sincere thanks and gratitude to our fallen men and women in uniform and their families who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the service of our country defending the liberties that we hold so dear. For many generations now, dating as far back to the end of the civil war, Americans have gathered together to pay tribute to our nations fallen heroes.
This is the most solemn of days for our nation. I am reminded of the words of one of my colleagues, Representative Ralph Hall, on this occasion: For people who have lost a son or daughter, the war never ends. All they are left with are graves and fading photographs. Its up to each and every American to help keep their memories alive and that is what today is about.
-- U.S. Rep. Bill Posey, R-Posey, R-Rockledge
Memorial day is a day of remembrance for all Americans and is a time for us to reflect on our ancestors, family members, neighbors and loved ones who have given the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our great nation. I hope all Floridians have the opportunity to come together on this day and recognize how fortunate we are to live in a land where freedom is the rule rather than the exception, and pay tribute to the men and women who have fought and died for the freedoms and values that we enjoy each day.
While we should honor our fallen heroes everyday for their profound sacrifice, on Memorial Day in particular, we should thank our veterans, active military personnel and reservists for defending our freedoms and serving and protecting our country, said Evers. My thoughts and prayers are with those who find themselves on the battlefield today, as well as those who have served in past wars. We are forever grateful for your sacrifice and service to our great Nation.
-- Rep. Greg Evers, R-Baker
Memorial Day is a day set aside to reflect on the great sacrifices that the men and women of our armed forces have made in service to our country. During this Memorial Day we should all pause in a moment of remembrance for the brave service men and women who have fought, and all too often died, fighting for the freedoms we hold so dear.
As a veteran, I have seen firsthand what countless men and women in uniform have given up in the name of freedom and in defense of the values of our great nation and they deserve our thanks. I encourage all Floridians, to take time this Memorial Day to remember those who have fought and died for our freedoms and to keep those who are currently defending our liberties abroad in our thoughts and prayers.
-- Sen. John Thrasher, R-Jacksonville
Every Memorial Day people gather across our state to honor loved ones and neighbors who have given their lives serving our country in the military. We give thanks for the men and women who have fought to protect our great country and our freedom.
My condolences go out to the families in Florida and across our great nation who have had a loved one give the ultimate sacrifice in service of our country, and my thoughts and prayers go out to all of the men and women who are currently serving around the world. Their service is essential in stopping terrorism and defending our country.
-- Holly Benson, Republican candidate for attorney general
"Each year on Memorial Day we honor the brave men and women of our nation who have sacrificed their lives to protect our country so we can all enjoy freedom. So many families endure hardships while their loved ones serve in our military. Memorial Day is our day as a nation that we remember and say thank you to the men and women of our military for their service to the United States of America.
I ask Floridians to join me at 3 p.m. on Memorial Day in recognizing the National Moment of Remembrance and pause in a moment of silence for one minute to honor those who have died to protect and preserve our freedom."
-- Dan Gelber, D-North Miami Beach, candidate for attorney general
During this Memorial Day weekend, we will honor our veterans who died in service protecting our country. I am proud to be able to join Florida veterans, family and friends at the annual Florida Memorial Day ceremony sponsored by the Joint Veterans Committee at the Florida National Cemetery. I encourage all Floridians to take time to remember the great service of our nations brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defending our freedom.
Also, Memorial Day marks the start of the most important tourist season in the Florida Panhandle, and this week, I urged BP and Florida officials to effectively get out the message that our beaches are pristine and open for business. I will continue to work with state and federal officials to ensure that we are doing everything we can to support our small businesses and coastal communities who have been economically impacted by this spill.
-- Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, candidate for governor
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859.
