It’s that time of year when we remember and honor our fallen and we also see rising hope with our new graduates. On May 30, 1868, at Arlington National Cemetery, James A. Garfield said “We do not know one promise these men made, one pledge they gave, one word they spoke; but we do know they summed up and perfected, by one supreme act, the highest virtues of men and citizens. For the love of country, they accepted death, and thus resolved all doubts, and made immortal their patriotism and their virtue.” To me, those are very powerful words and acts that continue to provide me and you with all our constitutional freedoms.

The first ten Bill of Rights were written by James Madison, and they were written as a solution to limit government power and protect individual liberties through the Constitution. With the commemoration of Memorial Day, I wanted to emphasize these freedoms and the fact that freedom is not free and has been paid for by so many and their families.

  • “First Amendment: freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and freedom of assembly”
  • “Second Amendment: the right of the people to keep and bear arms”
  • “Third Amendment: restricts housing soldiers in private homes”
  • “Fourth Amendment: protects against unreasonable search and seizure”
  • “Fifth Amendment: protects against self-testimony, being tried twice for the same crime, and the seizure of property under eminent domain”
  • “Sixth Amendment: the rights to a speedy trial, trial by jury, and to the services of a lawyer”
  • “Seventh Amendment: guarantees trial by jury in cases involving a certain dollar amount”
  • “Eighth Amendment: prohibits excessive bail or fines and cruel and unusual punishment for crimes”
  • “Ninth Amendment: listing of rights (in the Bill of Rights) does not mean that other rights are not in effect”
  • “Tenth Amendment: power not granted to the Federal Government is reserved for states or individual people”

The men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice did not know us personally but were willing to lay their lives down so we could continue to experience a free life. That absolutely leaves me speechless! I hope as you celebrate you remember and honor all those who made the sacrifice for your freedom.

All 2024 graduates I hope that you know just how important you and your futures are to the United States of America. You will be faced with a huge challenge to uphold our rights and freedoms that have been so honorably upheld in the past. Your future leadership and decisions will determine the future of The United States of America. I challenge you to hold steadfast to the honors, traditions, and freedoms we enjoy in this Great Nation!

Always remember your rights and freedoms are not guaranteed and in August and November 2024 please vote for candidates that will uphold and safeguard your freedoms. Congratulations 2024 Graduates and Happy Memorial Day to All.

I will leave you with those thoughts and that concludes this week’s The Straight Truth With Mary Ann Hutton.

Online link for voter registration or registration updates: www.votejacksonfl.gov/Register-to-Vote