Memorial Day Statement from Rep. Suzanne Miles

Memorial Day Statement from Suzanne Miles, KY State Representative, 7th district serving the counties of Union, part of Henderson, and part of Daviess

Memorial Day comes once a year. Opportunities come every day. Recently I crossed paths with an old family friend at the BBQ Festival. Like people do, we went down memory lane. This gentleman talked about in his youth he remembered being around my great grandfather, Paul Swain Miles. He recalled his ivory side step truck, cowboy hat, generosity, and spunk!

Granddaddy Swain served in the military, but was never in combat. He farmed and had a dairy. He married, had one child, and then his wife died at a young age.

In my lifetime, he was almost like a local gypsy. Granddaddy Swain would check on the farms and the people. Later years he would hitch a ride with anyone going anywhere. He would stop along the way to buy candy to share. Especially black walnut chocolate from Andria’s because the oil of black walnuts was supposed to be good for you. Or at least that what he convinced my mother! My friends knew him as the guy that gave out silver dollars and brought donuts.

Granddaddy Swain passed away over 25 years ago. Yet to this day people remember what a pleasure he was to have known and the stories he would tell. A few years back, a barber in Indiana asked if I was related to him. He only met him once. Image leaving that kind of impression on this earth.

As we honor the memories and service of our loved ones, fallen soldiers, law enforcement, and all the others that have gone before, let us recognize the opportunities we have to shape the hearts and minds of everyone we cross paths. There will always be an admiration for those we never met like Presidents Abraham Lincoln and JFK. There should always be an admiration to all the men and women that came before us for our freedom because of the brave.

So my challenge to everyone, including myself, this particular Memorial Holiday, embrace the chance to be a valuable memory for future generations. As I watch the sun rise in the east of my Kentucky home and set in the west behind the grain bins, I want to use my talents and gifts my Creator has given me to honor Him.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve you. May the favor of the Lord be upon you, God blessed those that have gone before, and guide those going forward, especially those willing to put on the uniform to protect all of us.

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