Congressman Fred Upton spoke to his hometown St. Joseph Memorial Day observance Friday, following the traditional Memorial Day Parade in downtown St. Joseph, always on Friday before the holiday.
Upton will leave office, choosing not to run for an 19th term in the House in 2022.
His office released his prepared remarks:
“What a sacred day …
“Last week the Greek Prime Minister spoke to a Joint Session of Congress. He stated, ‘There is no greater honor for the elected leader of the people who created democracy than to address the elected representatives of the people who founded their country on the Greek model and have promised democratic values ever since.’
“We thank all of our vets for that.
“Still among us are some of our WWII vets. Certainly, the Greatest Generation.
“But this holiday is so sacred because we honor those that did not come back.
“We know their stories because we’ve seen and know the tears of their colleagues and certainly their families here at home who feel that sacrifice still today. The anguish of that flag-draped coffin, hearing the words of that military officer who presents that flag to the family member saying, ‘On behalf of the President of the United States, the United States Coast Guard, and a grateful nation, please accept this flag as a symbol of our appreciation for your loved one’s honorable and faithful service.’
“No other nation does this as we ARE the land of the Free because of our Brave.
“Last month I spent time with some of our military overseas, including with the 82nd Airborne in Poland near the Ukraine border.
“You know, the Ukrainians are fighting for us … for democracy and against a ruthless, despicable Russian head of State named Vladimir Putin.
“It’s imperative that we provide the Ukrainians the equipment for this defining moment in the world’s history.
“Who would have believed that in the 21st Century, time would be rolled back to when that Greatest Generation prevailed on the world stage against a similar head of State named Adolph Hitler.
“Yes, we are so grateful this holiday weekend for the men and women that step up to defend this country and its values at home and abroad.
“Let us all remember those that gave all on this sacred weekend.”
