Submitted to the Watertown Public Opinion and the Northern Star

Dear Editor:

We have two holidays to honor our military. As you know, it is time for Memorial Day, which is in honor of those who served and died while in military service.

In remembrance, many visit cemeteries and memorials, and the U.S. flag is flown at half mast. A moment of National Remembrance is celebrated at 3:00 p.m. local times. Communities in our own district will also host Memorial Day observances, citing the roll call of all the local military deceased. It creates a sense of awe in listening to all the names of the many that fought and served. They did it to preserve the rights and freedoms the forefathers wrote into the Declaration of Independence and Bill of Rights.

This day reinforces why we must continue to be vigilant in not letting those rights slip away. They could be minimized at any time by our lack of involvement and attention to what is happening in our political front here in the U.S. and with the terrorists in other countries. The families of those heroes need to know that America will continue to do our part in keeping this the land of the free. After all, that is what Memorial Day is about, thanking those who sacrificed their life for our country. They saw the vision of our forefathers and fought to keep freedom alive. For that, we owe them our gratitude.

Jay Backer

Candidate for Minnesota House

District 20A