Editorial

Memorial Day- A time for honor, respect

There is a heightened awareness of U.S. military personnel who have laid down their lives in the service of their country as the nation settles into this Memorial Day weekend. It has only been a few weeks since the fierce battles of the war in Iraq, and there continue to be deaths as American peacekeepers work to restore order and dignity there.

Memorial Day was first set aside to honor the dead of the Civil War. Since then, it has been expanded as a day to honor all those who gave their lives in wars involving Americans. This year there will be special tributes with participation by veterans from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Afghanistan, peacekeeping missions and the most recent war in Iraq.

In many cases, Memorial Day also is a time for remembering family members and other loved ones who have died.

We join all those who will be visiting cemeteries to remember those who have died and those who will be attending special services to salute all who have departed this world, especially those who wore the uniform of a nation whose gratitude endures forever.

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