Remember the fallen this holiday

As you may be spending today — Memorial Day — enjoying a day off work and time with family or friends, it’s important to remember the true meaning of this annual federal holiday.

More than just a long weekend for barbecues and shopping, Memorial Day is a day to honor our country’s fallen heroes. It’s important we take this day to remember all the Americans who have given their lives while serving this great nation of ours.

What began in the late 1860s as “Decoration Day” following the Civil War in an effort to commemorate fallen Union soldiers has now been a federal holiday since 1967.

Memorial Day is a day of traditions — traditions such as U.S. flags being placed in front of gravestones at Arlington National Cemetery and parades held in cities of every size all over the country.

Memorial Day is a time to remember those who have perished in all war efforts and military action that has given us the freedom to live here and enjoy this day with friends and family.

From America’s struggle for independence in the late 1700s’ Revolutionary War to the fight currently being waged overseas in Afghanistan — today is meant to honor those men and women who did not make it home to their families to fully relish in the freedoms they fought to protect.

The U.S. has taken part in some of the deadliest wars in world history, yet through the sacrifice of millions of Americans, our nation has maintained its freedom and liberty throughout.

Today, as the U.S. flag traditionally flies at half-staff from dawn until noon, take the opportunity to remember perhaps a loved one whom you have lost while he or she served our country. Take time to remember those you do not know who gave their lives in service to protect your freedoms.

In doing so, also take time to enjoy this day on their behalf — whether it be at a family picnic or just kicking back with some friends.

While remembrance of the deceased can be a solemn occasion, Memorial Day should also be an occasion to celebrate and honor those fallen heroes and heroines.

At 3 p.m. local time, there will be a “National Moment of Remembrance,” where all U.S. citizens are encouraged to take a minute, pause from what they are doing and honor those fallen servicemen and servicewomen with a moment of silence.

Former U.S. Senator and Secretary of State Daniel Webster said it best when speaking about those who have died serving their country: “Although no sculpted marble should rise to their memory, nor engraved stone bear record of their deeds, yet will their remembrance be as lasting as the land they honored.”

(Editorials are the opinion of Jamestown Sun management and the newspaper’s editorial board)

Tags: memorial day, opinion, editorials, holidays