Remember who we honor Monday

THEY CAME FROM FARMS and factories, large cities and tiny villages, from one coast to the other – and all the land in between.

They answered the call to serve at times of crisis, when danger threatened, and in times of peace, to keep and preserve that peace.

And Monday, across the nation, throughout the county and in Plymouth, we will take the time to remember, honor and acknowledge those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of this nation.

Memorial Day began in the dark years following the Civil War, as Decoration Day, a day intended to mark or decorate the graves of the hundreds of thousands who died in that bloodiest of wars to ensure that this nation would remain one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

As this nation continued to fight wars to preserve and expand the freedoms and ideals sealed in blood in the Civil War, the roll of those who made the ultimate sacrifice grew longer and longer.

Still today, young men and women are answering the call to preserve, protect and defend those freedoms and rights, putting themselves in harm’s way and still making the greatest sacrifice to keep us free.

With Memorial Day marking the first long holiday weekend of the unofficial summer season, it is easy to become busy with all the activities and pursuits that make summer what it is and forget what the holiday is truly for.

But it was the sacrifice of all those that Memorial Day is meant to commemorate that makes such holiday pursuits possible.

Men and women gave their lives in places like Gettysburg and Shiloh down to Baghdad and Kabul, and countless other places around the world to make the freedom – and the fun – we all pursue this weekend and every day of every year possible.

So enjoy the road trips, the family get-togethers, the picnics, the games and the fun this weekend. But take a few minutes Monday to attend a parade, a cemetery program, a service of remembrance, in some way take some time out to thank the millions who have given their lives to make all of what we enjoy possible and preserve it for us and for future generations.

It’s the smallest of sacrifices to make in comparison to the huge ones they made, and the very least to give in their honor and memory.

At issue: Memorial Day Bottom line: Remember what it is for