While Memorial Day weekend is a wonderful time for gathering with family and friends
for picnics, pool parties, and parades, I write to you with the annual reminder not
to forget the true meaning of the event. Memorial Day is a time to remember the
brave men and women who have put everything on the line so we may live in freedom in
the greatest nation in the world.
Born out of a desire to honor those who fell in the Civil War, Memorial Day serves
as a nationally-recognized holiday to honor all those who have died in service of
the United States. We also acknowledge the families of these heroes who live on and
continue to preserve the memories of their loved ones. In May of 2000, the “National
Moment of Remembrance<http://www.usmemorialday.org/?p=97>” was established
encouraging all citizens throughout the United States to pause for a moment of
silence at 3 p.m. local time.
Kentucky has a special license plate known as the “Gold Star License
Plate<http://veterans.ky.gov/otherprograms/Pages/goldstar.aspx>” for mothers,
fathers, siblings, and spouses of military service members who died while serving.
If you or your family members are interested in obtaining one of these plates,
please do not hesitate to reach out to me by contacting my legislative office.
In 2017 we passed a number of laws to help veterans and military families who are
still with us. The General Assembly passed many military-centric laws, including
ones that will help veteran-owned small businesses, provide
death-in-the-line-of-duty benefits for National Guard families, and clarify laws
pertaining to military spouse unemployment benefits.
While we remember those who served on this Memorial Day weekend, I also encourage
you to get involved in your communities, whether by volunteering for a local
veteran-oriented charity or attending weekend festivities. You never know when you
may touch the life of someone who needs it—especially a veteran or a military
family.
On a final note, I think it very important on this Memorial Day that we also take
time to remember those who have taken their own lives while battling the demons of
war. I believe their memories should be honored along with those who gave their
lives on the fields of battle.
It is an honor to serve as your state senator, and I wish you and your family a safe
and happy Memorial Day weekend.
If you have any questions or comments about these issues or any other public policy
issue, please call me toll-free at 1-800-372-7181 or email me at
danny.carroll@lrc.ky.gov<mailto:danny.carroll@lrc.ky.gov>. You can also review the
Legislature’s work online at www.lrc.ky.gov<http://www.lrc.ky.gov>.
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Note: Senator Danny Carroll (R-Paducah) represents the 2nd District encompassing
Ballard, Carlisle, Marshall and McCracken counties. Senator Carroll serves as the
chairman of the Budget Review Subcommittee on General Government, as well as the
co-chair of the Program Review and Investigations Committee. He also serves as a
member of the Appropriations and Revenue Committee, the Education Committee, the
Budget Review Subcommittee on Education, the Health and Welfare Committee, the
Judiciary Committee, and the Government Nonprofit Contracting Task Force. For a
high-resolution .jpeg of Senator Carroll, please visit
http://www.lrc.ky.gov/pubinfo/portraits/senate02.jpg.
