In the spirit of this great nation, which despite it flaws and malevolence has provided a sanctuary for immigrants from every country on earth where they can improve their lives and avoid political oppression, we celebrate Memorial Day and commemorate those fallen heroes who fought to ensure the endurance of freedom. Proclaimed officially by General John Logan of Union Army, Memorial Day was first observed on May 30, 1868, when mourners placed flowers on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. New York was the first state to officially recognize the holiday in 1873, and by 1890, the northern states that had comprised the union during the civil war recognized this holiday as well. However, the Southern states refused to acknowledge Memorial Day, until after World War I.Although most Americans lack patriotism and do little to observe the holiday, other than perhaps outing to the park for a barbeque, there continues to be a call by our veterans for the proper observations, such as flying "Old Glory". Despite my personal opinions on the current conflict that the American government continues to pursue in the Middle East, where over 3000 soldiers have fallen in combat, I will list the names of those who were from our native state. Marc Anderson, 30, Ft. Myers – Michael C. Anderson, 36, Daytona Beach – Andrew Julian Avilles, 18, Palm Beach – Dennis J. Boles, 46, Homosassa Springs – Matthew J. Bourgeois, 35, Tallahassee – Theodore A. Bowling, 25, Casselbury – David J. Bergman, 20, lake Worth – Nathan B. Bruckenthal, 24, Dania Beach – Brian R. Buesing, 20, Cedar Key – Michael J. Clark, 29, Leesburg Lake – Christopher R. Cobb, 20, Bradenton – Kenneth Conde Jr. 23, Orlando – Bradley Crose, 22, Jacksonville – Daryl A. Davis, 20, Orlando – Wilbert Davis, 40, Tampa – Michael S. Deem, 35, Rockledge – Joshua W. Dickinson, 25, Pasco – Trace W. Dossett, 37, Orlando – Scott E. Dougherty, 20, Bradenton – Jason B. Dwelley, 31, Apopka – Daniel W. Egggers, 28, Cape Coral – Jeremy Ricardo Ewing, 22, Miami – Paul M. Felsberg, 27, West Palm Beach – David K. Fribley, 26 Cape Coral – Clifford V. Gadsden, 25, Ft. Walton – Javier J. Garcia, 25, Crawfordville – Carlos J. Gil, 30, Orlando – Ronald A. Ginther, 37, Auburndale – Armando Ariel Gonzalez, 25, Hialeah – Charles A. Hanson Jr. 22, Panacea - Jonathan N. Hartman, 27, Jacksonville – Chassan S. Henry, 20, West Palm Beach – Robert B. Jenkins, 35, Stuart – Romulo R.J. Jimenez, 21, Redland – Charles S. Jones, 34, Lawtey – Raymond E. Jones, 31, Gainesville – Christopher J. Kenny, 32, Miami – Chad W. Lake, 26, Ocala – Tracy L. Laramore, 30, Okaloosa – Manuel Lopez III, 20, Cape Coral – Richard M. Lord, 24, Jacksonville - Marcus Mahdee, 20, Ft. Walton Beach – Michael Maltz 42, St. Petersburg – Curtis Mancini, 43, Ft. Lauderdale – Ian D. Manuel 23, Green Cove Springs – Paul C. Mardis Jr. 25, Palmetto – Oscar A. Martinez, 19, North Lauderdale – Arthur S. Mastrapa, 35, Apopka – Scott R. Mchugh 33, Boca Raton – Keman Mitchell 24, Hilliard – Julio E. Negron, 28, Pompano Beach – Terry Holmes Orvonez, 22, Hollywood – Cody J. Orr, 21, Ruskin – Pamela Osbourne, 38, Hollywood – Ronald R. Payne, 23, Lakeland – James R. Phillips, 21, Plant City – Michael B. Quinn, 37, Tampa – Edmond L. Randall 26, Miami – Patrick Marc Rapicault, 34, St. Augestine – John T. Rivero, 23, Tampa – Robert D. Roberts, 21, Winter Park – Gale Saintvil , 24, Orlando – Brandon Sapp, 21, Lake Worth – Justin B. Schmidt, 23, Bradenton – Dustin H. Schrage, 20, Indian Harbor Beach – Juan E. Segura, 26, Homestead – Wentz J.H. Shanaberger III, 33, Naples – Charles M. Sims, 18, Opa-locka – Antonio Sled, 20, Tampa – Antoine D. Smith, 22, Orlando – Paul R. Smith, 33, Tampa – John E. Tipton, 32, Ft. Walton Beach – Brandon J. Wadman, 19, West Palm Beach – Antwan L. Walker, 22, Tampa – Aaron A. Weaver, 32, Inverness – Michael R. Creighton Weldon, 20, Palm Bay – Jeffery Wershow, 22, Gainesville – Arthur C. Williams IV, 31, Edgewater – Nicholas Wilt, 23, Tampa – Robert A. Weis, 21,Tallahassee – Roy Wood, 47, Alva – Michael R. Woodlif, 22, Port Charlotte – Julian Woods, 22, Jacksonville – Ian T. Zook, 24, Port St. Lucie - Rest in peace ...