There are many days on the national holiday calendar that we as Americans sometimes take for granted. We enjoy them as a day off work – a day to grill out or take to the lake.
Memorial Day should not be one we allow to pass by so flippantly. Originally known as Decoration Day, Memorial Day was set by Congress to be celebrated the last Monday in May through the National Holiday Act of 1971. The origin of the commemoration began a century before then as a day intended to honor those who died in military service for the nation.
Think about this carefully. The men and women honored on this day gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country and our freedoms. How many of us have ever truly been willing to do the same? The answer truthfully is not many. Those who were willing deserve more than a cursory thought as we all grill out. Please consider taking the time to attend a Memorial Day service wherever you are on Monday. The hour you might spend pales in comparison to what our fallen gave of their lives.
— Editorial staff, Tryon Daily Bulletin