Memorial Day is a holiday that deserves more respect.

The federal holiday held on the last Monday in May has long been overlooked in the pantheon of patriotic holidays celebrated here in the United States. Why is that?

Maybe it is because it doesn’t hold the historical significance as the Fourth of the July does, plus Memorial Day lacks the traditional fireworks extravaganza that has long been associated with the holiday commemorating the birth of our nation. 

Or maybe it is because people still get it confused with Veterans Day that people shouldn’t since the two holidays are held during opposite times of the year, and honor different things.

Memorial Day, which is held in May, is for remembering and honoring the people who DIED while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. Veterans Day, which is on Nov. 11, is for honoring the service of all military veterans and persons who served in the U.S. Armed Forces.  

So out of respect for those men and women, living and dead, please understand the differences between the two days. 

And while we are at it, let us give this particular holiday weekend more relevance than just a time of the year where we can get a great deal on a new mid-size sedan, buy that sectional couch we have been eyeing for months or hold a backyard family barbecue.

Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing un-American with taking advantage of a holiday sale or putting some grub on the grill for you and the family. But if you have time to go to the store and buy leg quarters or a new flatscreen television then you have plenty of time to stop by a cemetery and pay your respect.

This weekend you will find many men and women, boys and girls even, doing just that.

These individuals will be cleaning off grave markers and tombstones of overgrown grass and debris, removing torn and weathered American flags with news crisp ones with bright colors of red, white and blue. Many of these proud citizens also will stand next to these graves and salute that man and woman who made the ultimate sacrifice. 

For many, they will be performing this honor at the grave of a family member or friend but you don’t have to had a relative who died while defending our country to honor their service. 

The sad reality is there are many men and women who are buried in cemeteries that no longer have a loved one or family member around or alive to come and pay respect during the holiday.

So it isn’t a lot to ask for you to take a few moments of your time this weekend to honor one of those fallen soldiers on the verge of being forgotten, especially considering the ultimate sacrifice those brave individuals made for all of us.

RAYMOND PARTSCH III

MANAGING EDItOr