Remember those who made ultimate sacrifice

Today is about remembering the men and women who died for our freedom. That’s it, pure and simple.

Today is about remembering those who died for our freedom. That’s it, pure and simple.

It is not about selling automobiles or furniture nor is it the same as Veterans Day.

That holiday is in November and celebrates and honors all, living and dead, who have served in our nation’s armed forces.

Yes, it is a national holiday and, by happenstance, it does signal the coming of summer. But Memorial Day is meant to be much, much more than that.

It should be a time of reverence, remembrance and recognition of the ultimate sacrifices that were made on our behalf.

For those who understand its meaning, Memorial Day is — as it should be — a solemn holiday.

Originally, it was called “Decoration Day,” but there is great debate about its actual origin. At least two dozen cities and towns across the country claim to be the birthplace of the Memorial Day.

That matter was settled, as a political issue at least, in May of 1966 when President Lyndon Johnson officially declared Waterloo, N.Y., as the birthplace of Memorial Day.

In Pennsylvania, we cherish the legend of Boalsburg, Pa., as the birthplace.

According to legend, three local women visited the cemetery in 1864 to lay flowers on the graves of a father and son who had died in the Civil War.

As the women left, they agreed to return the next year to remember not only their loved ones, but others.

Their tradition continued. And in 1868, May 30 was declared Decoration Day across the country. But it wasn’t until 1971 that the U.S. officially celebrated Memorial Day on the last Monday in May.

“The three Boalsburg ladies are the mothers of a rich American tradition and fitting tribute to those who gave their lives in defense of our country,” Sen. Pat Toomey wrote in a 2016 opinion piece.

“That tradition of remembrance still exists in the community today, as Boalsburg is home to the Pennsylvania Military Museum that honors all the Pennsylvanians who have fought in every one of our nation’s wars.”

While some of the history is sketchy, we do know that the first actual proclamation was issued by Gen. John A. Logan, national commander of the U.S. Army, declaring May 30, 1868, as the day when flowers were to be placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery.

That began a somber tradition that has been expanded and remains today.

On the Thursday before Memorial Day each year since the 1950s the soldiers of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment — which is known more famously as “The Old Guard” or “Escort to the President” — place small American flags at each of the more than 260,000 gravestones at Arlington National Cemetery.

The soldiers from the regiment then patrol 24 hours a day during the weekend to ensure that each flag remains standing. It is a touching action and a sobering sight, indeed.

Unfortunately, much of the nation has lost touch with this original purpose of the day, especially for those who have no close ties to the military.

Pleasure, comfort and convenience have replaced honor, reverence and remembrance as the hallmarks of the day.

For many the holiday merely serves as cause for barbecues, picnics and family gatherings, which are great.

But in the midst of it all we should never forget that many have died so that we can enjoy such pleasures.

We owe them and their families a great debt of gratitude.

At the least we should take a little time today to remember them and offer a simple thank you. Without their grandest of sacrifice, we would not be the nation we are today.

Some say Boalsburg, Pa., is the birthplace of Memorial Day. According to legend, three local women visited the cemetery in 1864 to lay flowers on the graves of a father and son who had died in the Civil War.