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LA Dept of Affairs Secretary on the Significance of Memorial Day
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Below is a narrative from Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Lane A. Carson regarding the Memorial Day holiday:
"The tradition of memorializing our nation's fallen heroes dates back to the 1860's when townspeople across America set aside a special day to decorate the gravesites of those who died in service to our nation as a way of honoring their sacrifice. Memorial Day is now a federally recognized holiday celebrated every year on the last Monday in May.
Over the years, the significance of Memorial Day has been diluted and for many, the holiday represents backyard barbecues and retail bargains rather than a somber time for remembering the brave men and women who died to protect the freedoms we hold so dear. With so many images promoting the latest furniture sale or rock bottom pricing on new cars, it's not difficult to understand how the true message of Memorial Day gets left behind.
This year for Memorial Day, Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs (LDVA) created the Tribute to Louisiana's Fallen Heroes, a poster featuring the photo, name, rank, date of death and hometown of all 131 Louisiana military personnel who have died since September 11, 2001 (per offi cial U.S. Department of Defense listing). This poster provides a sobering visual image and literally puts a name and face to the sentiment behind what Memorial Day is intended to be. As Secretary of Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs and a combat wounded Vietnam Veteran, I urge everyone to take a moment this Memorial Day weekend to honor our heroes by viewing the LDVA Tribute to Louisiana's Fallen Heroes poster on display at various locations across the state.
For a full listing of poster display sites as well as Memorial Day events scheduled across the state, please visit the LDVA website at www.vetaffairs.la.gov." The poster is on display at the USS Kid and at the Louisiana Veterans Home in Jackson.
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