Chet Edwards For Congress

May 31, 2005
Congressman Celebrates Memorial Day in Town

Madisonville Meteor
By TRACY DANG | Meteor staff writer
Madisonville had a special guest in town at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Day Service Monday.

Congressman Chet Edwards was at the Truman Kimbro Convention Center to attend and speak at the observance that honors the men and women who have served this country.

"How do we thank someone who's giving up their life to protect our freedom?" Edwards said. "These are ordinary citizens, making extraordinary sacrifices for the land we call home."

Edwards spoke of honoring the veterans who are still here and remembering the 1.4 million soldiers who have lost their lives. He told stories of soldiers risking their own lives to save comrades and of family members affected by the lost of a loved one.

"You can't put a price tag on the suffering of young widows, children growing up without their parent or mothers mourning for their lost child," he said. "What families were never to be, and what dreams were never fulfilled. May each of us choose to use our freedom for the way that they died."

This year's VFW Memorial Day Service was focused on the veterans of World War II.

"I heard that there are 1,500 World War II veterans dying each day," said Reed Harden, Senior Vice Commander of VFW Post 8233. "It won't be long 'til there's not too many of us left."

Poems were read, and patriotic songs were sung as people paid respect to the servicemen and women who have fought around the world, both on and off the battlefield.

Those who attended had positive things to say about the observance.

"I thought it was fantastic," said WWII Veteran Kirby Woehst. "It's one of those things we need to continue to remember because there we're not going to be here for that long."

Many said having a member of Congress at the service was an honor in itself.

"It's not everyday that the opportunity presents itself," Woehst said. "He's very popular and well-liked because of his sponsorship of so many things."

"He has a history of helping the veterans and tries to do whatever he can," Harden said. "You couldn't ask for a finer Congressman."