Remember those who sacrificed

fourth Monday of May — had simple origins. It was a day set aside to honor those who had offered the ultimate sacrifice to our country, the sacrifice of their lives.
Memorial Day has strayed from that simple premise. People see the three-day holiday weekend as the launching pad into the busyness of summer: camping, fishing, vacations, time on our decks and patios enjoying sunshine, beverage, friends, family and food.
For others, Memorial Day has come to mean honoring all those who have died before us — our parents, grandparents, children, friends.
There is nothing wrong with any of that, but as Monday comes around, we beseech you to take an hour out of your day and attend a Memorial Day service. Veterans organizations across the state take the time and effort to host services, parades and events to honor their fallen comrades, and it would do us well to do the same. You are just as likely to find a service up north while you’re fishing or camping as you are to find one in your own community.
Those who sacrificed their lives for our country, to preserve our rights and freedoms and protect us from harm, deserve a full day of honor. If we cannot do that, we at least need to commit ourselves to spending an hour out of Memorial Day to focus solely on these fallen military personnel and express our gratitude for their service and sacrifice.
They deserve no less.