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May 23, 2009

Helena honors those who served this nation

By Bridget Nash Staff Writer

A Memorial Day observance was held Saturday morning in Helena, honoring the military members who have served the United States.

“I think you should be proud that we live in a state where our veterans in particular are honored,” said Rep. Jeff Hickman, R-Fairview, guest speaker.

Hickman briefly spoke about the state’s effort to honor those who are serving and those who have served in the military. Some of the measures Hickman mentioned include resolutions to exempt active-duty military members from state income tax, exempt from state income tax any payment from the Department of Defense for the death in the line of duty of any military member, allow veterans to vote from their bedside and encourage employers to let veterans have Memorial Day off from work.

Hickman said veterans of the past and of today have sacrificed more than we often remember.

“It’s a history of sacrifice that goes back many generations,” said Hickman. “It is a story that is being lost.”

Hickman said many people think the current time of sacrifice is the toughest, but they are forgetting the sacrifices of the past.

“When we look back at what previous generations have given, I think it makes us (realize) the sacrifices that have been made,” said Hickman.

Hickman listed for those in attendance the number of Ameri-can casualties from each war in history.

“These generations paid the ultimate sacrifice,” said Hickman. “Our responsibility is to show our gratitude.”

Veteran Lewis Hubbell also delivered a short speech at the event during in which he reminded the crowd their freedom was bought with a price.

“A nation that forgets its de-fenders is soon forgotten itself,” said Hubbell.

The colors were presented by Department of Corrections Honor Guard and Vance Air Force Base Honor Guard.

The welcome was delivered by veteran Gean Berg and the invocation and benediction was delivered by veteran Lynn Henry Redman.

Timberlake student Chelsey Parks sang the “Star Spangled Banner” and led the crowd in singing “God Bless America.”

The Memorial Day observance was organized by Helena Histor-ical Society.

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