Senator Girgenti in the News
OP-ED: Remember veterans - Spend a moment to recognize their sacrifice
May 25, 2007
By JOHN A. GIRGENTI
AS ANOTHER Memorial Day draws near, we should keep the focus on the sacrifice and service rendered by our brave men and women.
Picnics, parades and holiday sales seem to take precedence. But this Monday and during every last Monday in May, we must make every effort to remember our veterans.
Sadly, more and more Americans appear more interested in “American Idol” than they are in the American hero. Were not for the supreme sacrifice made by our fallen troops, we may have never heard of Kelly Clarkson or Taylor Hicks.
I believe it is time to reeducate and remind Americans about the significance of what was originally known as Decoration Day. Far too many people may not know the meaning or the tradition. Therefore, it is only appropriate that we emphasize the word memorial, not mall.
Some of my constituents complain that many veterans’ graves are ignored and that people have forgotten the proper flag etiquette. As a lawmaker I would be hard-pressed to legislate respect for veterans. But I will do all that I can to advocate for them and exhort those that I serve to follow suit.
I urge all New Jerseyans whether they are down at the Shore or at Garden State Plaza to stop what they are doing at 3 p.m. on Monday and observe in their own way a moment of complete respect and remembrance. Moreover, I ask that you support veterans’ efforts by buying a “buddy poppy” as a tribute to our troops.
In honor of the upcoming holiday as chairman of the state Senate’s Law and Public Safety and Veterans Affairs Committee, I recently convened a special meeting in Trenton to advance bills that would benefit our veterans.
One proposed law, S-1946, would establish a Commission on Women Veterans. Another, S-2459, would create a New Jersey Cold War ribbon. And S-2644 would make unauthorized use of military medals or insignias a crime of the fourth degree. The three were released from my committee.
Many other bills merit passage. S-1823 would expand eligibility for veterans preference on the state civil service test. S-2305 would provide home health care aides for qualified veterans. S-1676 would exclude the capital gains tax for qualified military personnel. Passage of these measures must be a bipartisan effort, because our men and women in combat are Americans first.
In addition to championing legislation I will also fight to expedite the completion of a New Jersey World War II Memorial.
World War II was arguably the greatest military victory for the United States. It was an effort in which every citizen contributed and had a stake in the outcome. It was a war neither the United States nor our allies could afford to lose. Today, we are rapidly saying goodbye to our “greatest generation,” those who did the fighting, and thus we must seize this important initiative to honor our valorous and victorious veterans.
Our veterans deserve our respect and recognition. It is especially important to salute them while they are still alive. We should all do our part to pay homage to the people who made it possible for us to hold picnics, parades and holiday sales. And so now that the American idol has been selected, we should all make sure that the American hero is properly respected.
John A. Girgenti, a Democrat from Hawthorne, represents New Jersey’s 35th District in the state Senate.