http://www.michigan.gov/ en Copyright 2009 - State Of Michigan Fri, 11 Dec 2009 17:13:28 EST http://www.michigan.gov/podcast http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss http://www.michigan.gov./images/gov/gradio_143016_7_188404_7.jpg 144 125 http://www.michigan.gov./gov/0,1607,7-168-37483---,00.html http://www.michigan.gov./documents/gov/Gov198Full_279630_7.mp3 Fri, 22 May 2009 07:00:00 EDT Monday is Memorial Day. For many, this is just another long holiday weekend. But we must remember the meaning and importance of Memorial Day. It is a day to honor the men and women of our armed forces who gave their lives to defend freedom, our country, our way of life.
In the year since we last commemorated Memorial Day, 11 more members of our armed forces who called Michigan home died in Iraq or Afghanistan. A total of 176 service men and women from Michigan have perished in these two wars.
Yesterday I welcomed to the governor's residence the families of Michigan service members who have died recently in the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts. This is the sixth year I have hosted this event. And every one has been touching and memorable.
When you speak with the families of these service members, there is great sadness, but there is also deep pride. Pride in their loved ones ? their heroes ? who sacrificed their lives overseas so we would not have to sacrifice our freedoms here at home.
It is difficult to find words for the family who has lost someone in war. Even Abraham Lincoln struggled with it. http://www.michigan.gov./documents/gov/Gov198Full_279630_7.mp3