A DAY TO HONOR THOSE WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES

Tomorrow is Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, as it began with Southern women placing garlands of flowers on the graves of Civil War casualties.

From the outset, it became a special commemoration of national unity and healing, owing to the fact that these Confederate-sympathizing women decorated the graves of the dead from both sides in that terrible civil conflict. As news of this touching gesture traveled north, a new and quintessentially American holiday was born.

In the bloody century just concluded, Decoration Day became Memorial Day, a day of recognition for all, from whatever conflict, who gave their lives in the service of their country.

This emphatically shouldn't be just another day off from work, another day to get drunk at the lake, or whatever. All Americans should pause this weekend to reflect on what our heroes suffered for our country.

"Greater love hath no man, than to lay down his life ... ."