To most, Memorial Day marks the official start to summer. With the typical warm weather and the itch to do something special, individuals and families will seek out some fun in the sun….whether it’s at the beach, at a resort, on a golf course, or in their backyard.

However, Monday, May 29 marks a special day in the hearts of true Americans. It’s a federal holiday, always observed on the last Monday in May, where we pause to remember those brave men and women who died while serving as a member of one of our nation’s military branches.

Across our great nation, there will be somber celebrations held on Monday. Some will be held at war memorials; in cemeteries; and others at traditional venues within the thousands of communities that dot the national landscape.

Locally, Memorial Day observances are planned for the Town of Conway Veterans Park (10 a.m.), the Courthouse Square in downtown Jackson (11 a.m.) and the Murfreesboro Municipal Building (11 a.m.). As a side note, there will be a public display of World War II memorabilia at the Murfree Center in Murfreesboro (adjacent to the Municipal Building) following the 11 a.m. ceremony. Joe Dickerson, a multi Purple Heart recipient during World War II where he was among the brave troops to storm the beaches of Normandy on D-Day, headed the effort to gather that military memorabilia.

We encourage residents in the Roanoke-Chowan area to attend any of these local events. It will mean a lot to those who live in our communities that either once served in the military or are currently an active member to see a great turnout.

An outdoor cookout or round of golf can wait for approximately one hour while you pay your respects to those who surrendered their lives so we all can enjoy the freedoms we have today. Please remember that over the years during the ravages of many wars and conflicts, hundreds of thousands of brave men and women in uniform surrendered their lives while protecting this great nation and our way of life.

And while you’re at it, consider taking your children to a Memorial Day tribute in order to educate them on the real price of freedom. Teach them that freedom really isn’t free…it was paid for in blood.

Nobody’s obligated to honor our war dead on Memorial Day. You get the day off and you’re free to do as you like. What a wonderful country. Thank goodness for that freedom.

So why not use a small portion of Monday to pay respect to the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice and in return paid-in-full our continuing freedom.

– The Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald