It began as a way to memorialize the military casualties of the Civil War, and was originally termed Decoration Day. Decorating the graves of the countless multitudes of fallen soldiers helped to console the grieving survivors of the debacle while uniting the once-divided nation in a worthwhile common cause.

On Monday of next week, we will take some time to pay homage to those who made the supreme sacrifice for their country. For us all. It is good to have that sense of appreciation throughout the entire year as well.

The colorful parade that we usually enjoy took place this past weekend. It is always inspirational and a great place to meet old friends and perhaps make some new ones. It is an opportunity to take some time to meet and get to know a veteran that we may encounter during this special celebration.

These heroes deserve recognition and thanks for the service they have given, and we always come away from the experience feeling a bit more enlightened and enriched than before. Even though the usual means of recognition and admiration continue this year, we hold them ever closer in our hearts and minds as time passes by.

So, give some thought to what the brave men and women who laid down their lives mean to all of us today. The quality of life we enjoy in America would not be possible without those selfless acts of courage and devotion. It is good to have that sense of appreciation, no matter what we ourselves may be going through at the present time.