EVEN IN TIME OF PEACE, RECOGNIZE LIBERTY'S COST

Viewed at its most superficial level, Memorial Day is just another three-day weekend: the traditional start of summer, the inauguration of school vacation, the running of a high-profile auto race, the opening of swimming pools. Offices close and families take to the roads. At its heart, though, Memorial Day is about the price of the freedoms that allow these trivial pursuits. Somewhere within the leisure we afford ourselves this long weekend, the true meaning of this holiday must emerge: that the price for liberty is steep and is exacted in the blood of our countrymen.

The United States has seen more than 1.1 million of its citizens killed in 11 wars, dating back to the nation's fight for independence. From generation to generation, a sense of duty has been ~handed ~down that principles of liberty need defending. From Valley Forge to Kuwait, from the forces of the Continental Army to those of Desert Storm, Americans have taken up arms when times required it. Peace-loving nations don't take these steps without cause, but necessity (and irony) often dictates that harmony can't be achieved without a struggle.

Over the years, our region has supplied its share of men and women to the armed forces. Some of those natives lost their lives on foreign soil. Those who survive remember the sacrifices made, not only on Memorial Day but throughout the year. We are blessed with a number of area veterans organizations, which provide not only valuable community service but act as reminders of the local stake in our nation's defense.

The world has changed in many ways since 1868, when Mem~or~ial Day had its origin. In the grand scheme of geo~politics and global tensions, our nation can allow itself to catch a breath. Americans are learning the meaning of military "drawdowns" now that the threat of Warsaw Pact nations has diminished. But just as the Persian Gulf War came upon the free world suddenly, so might other perils be lurking.

It would be nice in these peaceful times, on this congenial holiday weekend, to believe that no Americans will ever again lose their lives in defense of liberty. History tells us it is too much to hope for. The best our nation can do is remain strong, stay alert, maintain our values and pray those who employ tyranny to satisfy a desire for power stop themselves before America is called upon to do so. These wishes bear witness to our love of peace, while we recognize on this holiday that there is often a terrible price for preserving liberty.