Remember to honor the fallen this Memorial Day

As the widow of a Korean War veteran, I hold a special place in my heart for the parents, siblings, spouses and friends of those who served. I can’t help but think of all the men and women who have gone to fight for this great nation and didn’t make it home.

While we are all guilty of celebrating the unofficial start of summer and encouraging each other to “have a good weekend,” it is important to remember the reason for the holiday weekend: Memorial Day is the day Americans set aside to honor those brave men and women who met tragic ends while defending our freedom. It is our duty to honor their sacrifices, to pray for their families and to bow our heads in recognition of their service.

This Memorial Day, American Legion Post 82 Family, La Plata, will stand together to pay tribute to the fallen. We invite Southern Maryland residents to join us Tuesday, May 30, at 11 a.m. at The American Legion Post 82, 6330 Crain Highway, in remembrance of those who paid the price for our freedom. We must never forget.

The American Legion Auxiliar y (ALA) is the world’s largest women’s patriotic service organization, with nearly three-quarters of a million members and more than 8,000 units in communities across the nation. The ALA ser ves nearly one million veterans ever y year. Right here in La Plata, we continue to help mitigate the challenges our veterans face and deliver upon our mission by organizing multiple events and fundraisers throughout the year to support veterans, military and their families.

To learn more about the Auxiliary’s mission or to volunteer, donate or join, go to www.ALAforVeterans.org.

Kitty Dawson, La Plata