Take time to reflect, remember this Memorial Day

Memorial Day.

For many, it’s the unofficial kickoff to summer. A day for picnics and barbecues.

But, Memorial Day is so much more than that.

It’s a day to remember and honor the lives of the men and women, who, while serving in the U.S. military at home and abroad, paid the ultimate sacrifice … dying to protect the freedoms we enjoy.

The freedoms of religion, speech, press and assemble are just a few of the freedoms that we must not take for granted … their cost was too dear.

Originally known as Decoration Day, Memorial Day was established in the years following the Civil War as a way for Americans to honor those who died in the bloodiest war ever fought on our soil.

The graves of Union and Confederate soldiers alike were decorated with flowers for the first time in 1868.

It was not until after World War I that Memorial Day was expanded to honor those who have died in all American wars.

And, it wasn’t until 1971 that Memorial Day was declared a national holiday and was placed on the last Monday in May.

The time has come for us again to observe Memorial Day, but this year’s holiday is shaping up to be much different than in years’ past due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

There will be no special services at any of the five Missouri State Veterans Cemeteries, including at Bloomfield.

There will be no Memorial Day event in front of the Veterans’ Wall outside the Black River Coliseum.

Just because so many Memorial Day events have been canceled doesn’t diminish what the day stands for.

We urge our readers to take time Monday to pause and remember … remember the sacrifices, remember our military, remember our country and remember … freedom isn’t free.

— Daily American Republic