Memorial Day

It's the first official weekend of summer. Three days off to enjoy picnics, barbecues, beach trips and store sales...it's Memorial Day!

But that's not what it's all about.

It's important that we don't lose sight of this significant holiday.

It was first called Decoration Day and it was a way of remembering those who had lost their lives fighting in the Civil War. People "decorated" their graves with flowers.

After World War 1 the day was extended to include all of the men and women who sacrificed their lives for their country.

It was originally celebrated on May 30, but in 1968 when Congress passed the Uniform Holidays Bill, it was changed to the last Monday in May.

It is customary to fly the flag on Memorial Day. Traditionally it is raised briskly first thing in the morning and them lowered solemnly to half staff where is stays until noon. Then it is raised to full staff for the rest of the day.

The flag at half staff is meant to remind us of the more than one million men and women you have given their lives over the many years for this wonderful country of ours. The raising to full staff is a resolve by the living to never let the deaths of the fallen to be in vain and to continue to fight for justice and liberty for all.

So let's make sure that we don't let this day pass by without remembering all of the many men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice for us so that we can live in a free country.

Take some time this holiday and visit a war memorial, veteran's grave yard, or a memorial service. You will be glad that you did.

And that is this gal's view for today.