FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Michelle Dean

PHONE: 206-337-1464
EMAIL: info@rnha.org

May 31, 2009

RNHA Commemorates Memorial Day

Lakeland, Florida – The Republican National Hispanic Assembly (RNHA) joins the nation in
remembering those who have served so valiantly. Memorial Day was originally known as
Decoration Day because it was a time set aside to honor the nation's Civil War dead by
decorating their graves. It was first widely observed on May 30, 1868, to commemorate the
sacrifices of Civil War soldiers, by proclamation of General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of
the Republic, an organization of former sailors and soldiers.

RNHA National Chairman Alci Maldonado released the following statement, “I join the nation in
honoring those who have served and paid the ultimate price. I have the utmost respect for
these brave men and women who fought to defend our God given freedoms.” The RNHA
pauses to remember the nation‟s heroes who gave the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our
freedom. Chairman Alci Maldonado added: “Our America is safe, secure and free due to the
sacrifices of the members of our nation‟s armed services. We remember these patriots and their
families as well. It is difficult to find the right words to comfort the families of these fallen
American heroes. We are reminded of the beautiful sentiment President Abraham Lincoln
expressed on November 21, 1864 to Mrs. Bixby of Massachusetts upon learning of her loss of
five sons on the field of battle: „…I feel how weak and fruitless must be any words of mine which
should attempt to beguile you from a grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from
tendering to you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to
save. I pray that our heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave
you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours
to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.‟ The RNHA remembers our
American patriots who indeed laid such costly sacrifices upon the altar of freedom. We honor
them and their families this Memorial Day. God bless them and God bless America.”

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The mission of the Republican National Hispanic Assembly is to build a membership organization to foster the principles of the
Republican Party in the Hispanic community; provide Hispanic Americans with a forum to play an influential role in local, state, and
national Party activities; increase the number of Hispanic Republican elected officials; and create and maintain a network of
Hispanic Republican leaders.

Paid for by the Republican National Hispanic Assembly. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.

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