May 29, 2018
Tuesday PM

Last week I had the honor and privilege of attending the Kayhi Scholarship Awards assembly at the Ketchikan High School Auditorium.  More than 6 million dollars in scholarships were offered to the Kayhi graduating class of 2018 and more than 3 million dollars were accepted. This is evidence of the hard work put forth by the students who were able to qualify for these scholarships and educational opportunities. It is also evidence of the ready support of their families, teachers, counselors, coaches, and the entire community of Ketchikan.

What struck me even more however, was that last Wednesday night’s scholarship assembly was just another of the countless examples that are before us each day, reminding us of how blessed we are to live in the community, state and country we call home.  I’m guilty of taking for granted the amazing freedoms that we enjoy in this country - from the freedom of religion, to the freedom of speech and all the other freedoms that come with living in the United States of America.  And, as the saying goes, it’s important to remember that, “freedom isn’t free.” 

The gathering that took place last week, in a quality auditorium, within a well-built public school, would not have been possible without the sacrifices that were made by the countless U.S. citizens who lived, and sometimes died for this country, dating as far back as 1776.  Young men and women who were willing to put aside their own personal interests for the greater good at places like Bunker Hill, Boston, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, Bellawood, France, Midway, in the Pacific, Khe Sahn, Vietnam and countless other locations around the world where Americans and their allies have been willing to stand up and sometimes lay down their lives for freedom.

This Memorial Day weekend in Ketchikan, Alaska, as we enjoyed going to ball games, getting out on the water or simply staying home with our families, it is fitting and proper to remember to say thank you to those countless Americans who made the ultimate sacrifice over these past 242 years, so that we might have the priceless freedoms that we enjoy everyday.

Sincerely,

Rep. Dan Ortiz
Ketchikan, Alaska

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Editor's Note:

The text of this letter was NOT edited by the SitNews Editor. Minor edits for dating. There was a delay in delivery from date sent to arrival.

Received May 25, 2018 - Published May 29, 2018

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