Memorial Day weekend is upon us, and with it will come all of the fun activities that most of us grew up associating with the holiday. Some folks will head to the beach for the first time since the temps rose enough to do so; some people will stay put and enjoy a backyard barbecue with family and friends; some will just enjoy a day off of work. 

But however you choose to celebrate Monday’s holiday, let’s not lose sight of what it is actually about. Memorial Day, which is often confused with Veterans Day, is our annual holiday to honor those who gave their lives in service of our country. While Veterans Day celebrates all U.S. military veterans, Memorial Day is set aside for those men and women in the U.S. military who made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we enjoy today.

Like a lot of people my age, both of my grandfathers served in major U.S. conflicts: one served in Korea, while the older of the two served in the U.S. Army in the European theater in World War II. My dad —in large part because of what the generation before him did — didn’t have to worry about being drafted into the service and went a different route in life. Likewise, I have never served, but I try to impress upon my children just how important what their great-grandfathers did was for us all. Neither of them was killed in action, but had they been, three generations of my family wouldn’t exist today. That’s how close history is to us.

And for those who have lost husbands and fathers, wives and mothers, brothers and sisters, in service of our great nation, the question of “What could have been?” must be just one part of the overwhelming grief they feel constantly, but especially on Memorial Day. 

My intention today isn’t to bring you down; Memorial Day IS a holiday that has become a time for celebrating the freedoms we enjoy and the wonderful place we call home. I only ask that, this year, as you’re doing so, you don’t forget to do it in a way that honors the men and women who made it possible. 

The Bible says, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” And that is exactly what our fallen heroes did: laid down their lives for their friends; for their neighbors; for the boss they may not have liked; and for generations of Americans to come that they would never meet. So as you enjoy some fun in the sun this weekend, remember the families with folded American flags in their homes and whisper a thank you.

And if you’re in Vicksburg Monday, come on out and help us celebrate the holiday with our annual parade and service. You can find all of the details right here in this edition of The Vicksburg Post and online at vicksburgpost.com. 

We look forward to honoring the memories of those who laid down their lives for us!

Blake Bell is the general manager and executive editor of The Vicksburg Post. He can be reached at blake.bell@vicksburgpost.com.