Memorial Day: The true cost of freedom
Memorial Day brings families and communities together, whether it be through parades, memorial services, cookouts or the first day spent by the pool. Regardless of how you celebrate Memorial Day, remember to reflect on the sacrifices made by our fallen heroes.
As the chair of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs and Public Safety, it is one of my top priorities to provide for Hoosier veterans and those who died while serving our country while bringing awareness to our state that freedom is not free.
New measures were passed during this year’s session expanding on the help and services provided for those who paid the ultimate price.
One important measure ensures the proper burial of deceased veterans with no living family members. Sadly, many service members have died with no immediate family to make funeral arrangements for them.
Another new law will double the amount of funeral allowances to the families of the members of the Indiana National Guard who gave their all fighting for our freedom.
Our veterans responded to the call to serve our country from generation to generation. Since before the inception of the United States in 1776, blood has been shed to defend freedom and liberty. Over the years, more than 42 million American men and women have served our country in the time of war, according to the Memorial Day Foundation. The Department of Defense has laid out the number of casualties from all major wars in our country’s history on www.memorialdayfoundation.org.
To honor our fallen heroes and the upcoming Memorial Day holiday, please consider visiting a veteran’s home or a local veterans’ cemetery, attending a parade, memorial service or a flag raising ceremony, or simply share a photo of a beloved veteran you know.
As always, please contact me with questions or input at 317-234-3827 or by email at h67@iga.in.gov. I appreciate hearing from you in order to better represent our district. Stay up-to-date with the work being done at the Statehouse by signing up to receive my email updates at www.in.gov/h67.
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Rep. Frye (R-Greensburg) represents Ohio and Switzerland counties, as well as portions of Ripley, Decatur, Jennings, Jefferson and Dearborn counties
