Memorial Day. What is it? To most of today's Americans it is a vacation day from work, a day stores have their white sales, and swimming pools and lakes beckon families.

But that is not really what Memorial Day is, it is the day we remember those who gave so much for our freedom as a people and a nation.

It originated in 1869 after the Civil War and was originally known as Decoration Day, the day families honored their fallen by decorating their graves, but in 1967 it became Memorial Day and was moved to the last Monday of May one year later.

This year, Monday, May 28, 2012, we will once again remember those who served and gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country and our freedom with a special thank you to the women of our military who gave so much.

We will remember them with a noon observance at Veterans Memorial Park on Highway 9 North.

Won't you join us?

Stand with us as our American flag passes by, pause with us as the names of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice are read, stand in reverence as the trumpeters call up our nation's songs, and give a little time to remembering.

After all, it's Memorial Day.

Donald Brown
Vice President, Veterans Affairs of Dawson County