EDITORIAL: Memorial Day is much more than a barbecue

Posted 5/31/16

Honoring Americans who have died in war is a tradition that dates back to 1866 in Waterloo, New York, but Memorial Day wasn’t established until 1967. 

Unfortunately, for many people these days, Memorial Day is more notable as the unofficial …

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EDITORIAL: Memorial Day is much more than a barbecue

Posted

We remembered our dead on Monday — as families, as a community and as a nation. In particular, we paid our respect to those who gave their lives while serving their country. 

Honoring Americans who have died in war is a tradition that dates back to 1866 in Waterloo, New York, but Memorial Day wasn’t established until 1967. 

Unfortunately, for many people these days, Memorial Day is more notable as the unofficial start of the summer season, the beginning of a vacation or as a nice day to fire up the barbecue. 

According to statistics gathered by WalletHub, on Memorial Day:

But Memorial Day really isn’t about a three-day weekend, a summer picnic or hitting the road for a vacation. 

The Memorial Day Foundation is an organization formed to remind Americans about the people who gave their lives during wars and conflicts to help protect the freedoms we enjoy. 

The foundation cites some sobering statistics about the ultimate sacrifices made by U.S. service members during this nation’s relatively short history:

There were many smaller conflicts that claimed anywhere between one life and a few hundred, according to the list provided by The Memorial Day Foundation. The full list can be viewed at www.memorialdayfoundation.org/faqs/the-price-of-freedom.html/.

Few, if any, of the service members who died in those wars and conflicts were there because they wanted to be. They were there to protect the lives of Americans and other people. It doesn’t seem too much to ask for us to set aside one day to remember their sacrifice. 

We’re thankful for the local people and groups who make sure they’re not forgotten. The annual Memorial Day ceremony at Crown Hill Cemetery honored those who have served their country. 

Another ceremony took place at the Wyoming Veterans Memorial Park in Cody.

Those ceremonies were made possible only by the work of volunteers who set up flags, planned the services, provided honor guards, donated wreaths and helped with other details. We appreciate and applaud their efforts and their dedication.

We also thank those individuals and families who took at least a few minutes on Monday to remember their loved ones and others who helped pave the path of freedom. 

It’s the least we can do for those who selflessly gave up their lives and their futures and made the ultimate sacrifice for you, for me and for their country.

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