2004 Year in Review

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Memorial Day 2004 in Morrison

Monday May 31, 2004 we will once again reflect upon the sacrifices so many men and women of our Armed Forces have given to our country. This Memorial Day will be a little more meaningful as we witness the first use of our new Veteran's Memorial and Park while simultaneously knowing over 125,000 service men and women are in harm's way in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Unless you happen to have a relative or friend in the military then the news of the war in Iraq may be just another story on the 6:00 PM News to you and all of those serving are just so many nameless faces. Have you ever wondered who they are and why they are serving their country? They have come from communities just like Morrison, some may have gruaduated from high school just last year, some are college graduates, some have been in the service for several years as a career soldier but all have a common goal and that is to protect you and me.

These young people did not just wake up one day and decide to be patriotic by enlisting. No, they were born and raised in communities like Morrison and all during their formative years they went to good schools, attended a place of worship, were nurtured and taught life skills by parents, brothers, teachers, business owners, co-workers and friends. They are us. We need to understand on Memorial Day the total sacrifice those service men and women who have given their lives and we need to remember why each one is so important even though we may not know them by name. We raised them in our communities and they have become part of us and we of them.

by Bob Vaughn, theCity1.com
May 27, 2004