In his latest column, State Senator Tom O’Mara calls on New Yorkers to honor Memorial Day by remembering the sacrifices of American soldiers and renewing the nation’s commitment to freedom and service.
O’Mara’s message, released the week of May 26, centers on the enduring legacy of the men and women who gave their lives in military service. “Here rests in honored glory an American soldier known but to God,” he quotes from the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, calling it the essence of the holiday.
The senator highlights local and national tributes, including ceremonies at Woodlawn, Bath, and the New York State Veterans Cemetery in Romulus, once known as Sampson Veterans Memorial Cemetery. He also underscores Waterloo, in Seneca County, as the official birthplace of Memorial Day.
O’Mara reflects on statements from past presidents, including Ronald Reagan, John F. Kennedy, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Abraham Lincoln, and Donald Trump, each emphasizing the price and duty of preserving liberty. He also recalls Duane Mendenhall, director of the Woodlawn and Bath National Cemeteries, who said, “Every single freedom and liberty we enjoy can be traced back to a battlefield.”
As Americans mark the day with remembrance, O’Mara urges continued support for veterans and active-duty service members. “We salute all New York State veterans and the millions more strengthening communities across our nation,” he writes.
“For as long as we remember and keep them alive in our hearts, we will stand as we do—free in a land of opportunity and promise.”
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