Mayor Dobies: 2018 Memorial Day Address
Good morning and thank you for having me here today.
I’m here today to deliver a proclamation commemorating today, May 28, as Memorial Day here in the City of Jackson to honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in defending her country in the armed services.
The roots of memorial day trace back to the end of the Civil War when people wanted to pay tribute to those who fought to defend the union.
And Jackson has a special place in Michigan‘s history of the Civil War — and Mount Evergreen cemetery here in particular — it’s the final resting place of our Civil War Governor, Austin Blair. His resting place is just on top of the hill over there looking out onto Greenwood.
Governor Blair sent troops to the Civil War from his base camp right here in the City of Jackson. Hundreds of thousands of men and women lost their lives to defend the union and abolish the institution of slavery.
But Governor Blair did more than that — he put to use those liberties that those men and women fought so hard for: he helped organize the first Republican Party and he championed human rights by leading the effort to ban capital punishment and supporting efforts to give women and black citizens the right to vote.
Austin Blair died in 1894, but that history of fighting for, defending our country’s greatest ideals — a record of engaging our freedoms and liberties — it crosses the span of history to today.
The selfless dedication to duty that was embodied by those who gave their lives while wearing the cloth of our country should inspire us all to give more of ourselves every day.
Today, as we remember those who so willingly laid down their lives for us, let us also honor the lives they lived by redoubling our efforts and strengthening our resolve to give and do more to better our community and improve the lives of our fellow citizens.
With every selfless act we commit, the words of honor and sacrifice we speak hold even more meaning and the positive effects of what we achieve will last long after the actions we take.
As we head out to our family festivities today, our visits to the lake, to cookouts, let us recommit ourselves to remembering those who gave their lives to keep our families safe.
As we talk with our family members today — as we deliberate, speak freely, as we peacefully assemble and as we kneel down to pray in our own way — let us remember that someone died to defend those rights and freedoms.
And most importantly, throughout the rest of this year — let make a concerted effort to honor those who have given their lives by using those freedoms. I mean really use them.
Engage in political debate, organize with like minded individuals, fight for what you believe in and protest what you think unfair or unjust, vote; participate in our the democracy that men and women have given their lives to protect at home and secure abroad.
As Mayor, I’m happy to join my fellow Jacksonians in that charge.
Thank you for allowing me to speak here today and happy Memorial Day to all.
Delivered by Mayor Derek Dobies on May 28th, 2018 for the Memorial Day Ceremony at Mt. Evergreen Cemetery.
