In what’s become a tradition at the Capitol, Illinois Senate Republicans put on a ceremony to remind everybody that Memorial Day is not about a three-day weekend.

“The strength of the armed forces is our service members, and the strength of our service members is our families,” said Renysha Brown, chief of staff for the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs. “We recognize that no one has given more for the nation than the families of the fallen.”

Gold Star mother Denise Williams said she has a simple request: “My son, PFC Andrew Meari, was 21 years old on Nov. 1, 2010, when he gave his life in Afghanistan.

“Say their names.”

There’s a display in the Rotunda where visitors may offer their messages of gratitude.