Not just a day off

Monday meant a lot of different things to different people. For students, it was the first Monday without any classes. Others might have seen it as a day off work, a chance to roll out the barbecue or enjoy a day at the park. Many go about the day as simply an opportunity to sleep in or be a bit lazy, without another thought.

Too often the sacrifices men and women have made in service to their country go unrecognized. Memorial Day, originally established in 1868, is not just a chance to enjoy a three-day weekend. Rather, it is a day during which the memories of these brave souls can be honored. In election years, when the country's divisions are that much more apparent, the respect we give to those who have served in the armed forces should be one thing that unites us.

Veterans Day - Nov. 11 - honors those who have served in the military, and Armed Forces Day - May 21 - honors those currently enlisted. But, these days recognize those who are still living, while Memorial Day remembers those who died. Such recognition of our military should be a daily occurrence, and while it is a wonderful thing to have a calendar remind us of our military's sacrifices, we shouldn't need one.

Take some time today to remember the thousands who have fallen in their military service. Do not let their sacrifices be just an excuse to unplug the alarm clock.