MEMORIAL DAY 1998: HONORING THE BRAVE

Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer -- a day of barbecues, picnics and relaxing. A day for families. A day for swimming and -- hopefully -- sunshine. For some, it will be a day of work as many area merchants will be open with holiday sales.

But Memorial Day is more than an excuse for a day off from work. Monday is a red-white-and-blue day. It is a day that Americans should pay tribute to veterans who gave their lives for this great country.

Without their bravery, spirit and ultimate sacrifice, there would be no America as we know it today.

First a little history: Memorial Day was originally proclaimed to honor those who died in the Civil War. At its start, the holiday was known as Decoration Day. It was first observed May 30, 1868, in the northern states. The southern states had the same tradition, but on a different date.

Think of it. Americans have been observing this holiday for 130 years. That in itself is remarkable. The name was changed to Memorial Day in 1882. The holiday gained the official seal of approval in 1971, when Congress declared the last Monday in May as a national holiday.

Over the years, the holiday has been expanded to remembering veterans who died in the Spanish-American War, World Wars I and II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

But let's get back to that very first Memorial Day. In setting aside the day in 1868, Gen. John Logan said: "Let us then, at the time appointed, gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with choicest flowers of springtime. Let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved from dishonor ... . If other eyes should grow dull and other hands slack, and other hearts cold in solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warmth of life remains in us."

Freedom is not free. Thousands upon thousands of soldiers gave their lives to make sure that America continues its tradition as the longest lasting Democracy in the history of the world.

Amid the picnics and the family gatherings, let us wave Old Glory. Let us remember the beauty of their heroism, and the ugliness of war. Let us salute these brave soldiers who paid the ultimate sacrifice for this country. Thanks to them, freedom rings today in this sweet land of liberty.

Let us remember, lest we forget.