By Sen. Claudia Kauffman
Memorial Day is so much more than a kickoff to summer.
This weekend in particular, we take time out to honor and commemorate those who fought and died to protect and defend the privilege of freedom that we enjoy every day. This blanket of freedom that we sleep under every night comes at a cost.
When Memorial Day was being set aside 1868, General Logan is quoted: “…cherishing tenderly the memory of our heroic dead, who made their breasts a barricade between our country and its foes.”
As we remember those who have laid down their life for our country, we must also continue to make sure we doing everything we can to take care of them and their families. We also owe our gratitude and must support our veterans who have returned home and the current soldiers who continue to serve our country.
During this past Legislative session, I worked with my colleagues to move significant legislation forward that will make a real difference for our veterans as well as those on active duty. One of the biggest things we accomplished was to set a plan in place to improve veterans’ access to services through the state’s veterans affairs department. Too many times, veterans fall through the cracks. This legislation directs the department of Veteran Affairs to improve referral methods and enhance their outreach to veterans. We must be assured that veterans are getting the services – whether federal or state – that they are entitled to, and in many cases, are vital for a comfortable life that they deserve.
We also moved to cancel early retirement penalties for benefits for survivors of those who leave state employment to serve in the National Guard or reserve and pay the ultimate sacrifice as a part of their duty. In my mind, this is the least we can do for the loved ones of our Guard and reserve members who dies in the line of duty.
Military service shouldn’t be a barrier for the families of our men and women in uniform – and in particular, their children. As of this past legislative session, Washington is now a member of the Interstate Compact for Educational Opportunity for Military Children. This program removes barriers to educational success of military children caused by frequent moves and redeployment of their parents. This program makes requirements and policies clearer for parents, children and teachers. Students should never be penalized academically because of their parent’s service.
Let us not forget the brave warriors of the Military who have given their lives for the very freedoms that we enjoy. I ask everyone in our community to say a prayer, lay a flower at the grave of a service member or take time out of your day to remember in your own way the sacrifices of so many.
They are the reason for Memorial Day.