Opinion: Prioritizing Memorial Day
The following editorial is attributed to Sen. Tom Holland, of Baldwin City:
Monday, the State of Kansas commemorated its 143rd annual Memorial Day. It’s a day to honor the fallen and to thank the thousands of brave men and women in uniform who continue to fight valiantly to protect our freedom.
While each state recognizes Memorial Day in their own unique way, I’m proud to live in a state that actively pursues programs and initiatives that benefit our veterans and active duty military personnel.
As a member of the Kansas Senate, I proudly voted this year for a Senate Resolution recognizing the state’s 33,000 military children. These brave young Kansans make sacrifices and serve their country as much as anyone in uniform does, quietly shouldering a heavy family burden.
As legislators, we must ensure that local resources are available to help these children cope with deployment, school transfers and childcare needs.
To pay tribute to the service of Kansans killed in the line of duty, our state continues to operate a Flag Honors Program. The program allows the United States flag to be displayed at half-staff throughout the state when a member of the Kansas National Guard, Kansas Air National Guard or the armed forces is killed in action.
Also this year, the 30-member Governor’s Military Council was permanently extended through an executive order. The voluntary commission serves as a vital resource by promoting the important role the military plays throughout the state, advocating for jobs and improving the quality of life for all military families.
While our state has made tremendous strides to honor our brave men and women in uniform, we must continue working to make Kansas the most military-friendly state in the nation. Just as these brave Kansans have made our safety and freedom a top priority, their care and well-being should be one of our top priorities.