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Washington Evening Journal
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Washington, IA 52353
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Fairfield honors fallen veterans on Memorial Day
FAIRFIELD - Fairfield residents paid their respects to those who lost their lives defending the country during Monday’s Memorial Day ceremony in Central Park.
Residents stood on the sidewalks or sat in folding chairs on the grass as they listened to the guest presenters, including music from the Tarnished Brass Band.
Two recent graduates of Fairfield High School recited the two customary speeches associated with Memorial Day. Erin Epperson delivered Logan’s General Orders, while Felicia Strong delivered Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address.
Iowa Rep. Jeff Shipley was the guest speaker that morning. Shipley said Memorial Day is an occasion to reflect upon what is worth sacrificing and dying for.
“What would you give your life for?” Shipley asked the audience. “If you don’t know, then do you know what you are living for?”
Shipley told the audience he hopes they do not take their freedoms for granted, especially their First Amendment freedoms to speak, to worship and to peaceable assemble. Shipley said these are things that he would gladly give his life for.
Shipley said that the country is at risk of squandering the gift of liberty that previous generations fought for. He said some people do not regard the American flag as something worthy of respect, but instead as a symbol of something bad, and he said that must be corrected.
Call Andy Hallman at 641-575-0135 or email him at andy.hallman@southeastiowaunion.com
