Memorial Day is a time to pause, reflect, and remember. It’s a day to honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. It’s a time of mourning. From the Revolutionary War to modern-day conflicts, countless individuals have given their lives for our country. Their sacrifice is a reminder of the cost of freedom. We honor their memory by living our lives with purpose, gratitude, and respect.

Before gathering with family and friends, take a moment to acknowledge the true meaning of the holiday, and focus on its purpose. Visit a cemetery, one of the nicest cemeteries in West Virginia is the National Veterans Cemetery in Grafton. It’s an impressive sight with rows and rows of graves of soldiers who gave their lives so we can live free from oppression. Small gestures like paying a visit to a veterans grave site can make a big difference in retrospect. The cemetery was established in 1867 primarily as a final resting place for Union soldiers who died during the Civil War, including over 600 unknown soldiers. It also contains veterans from the Spanish/American War, World Wars I and II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and holds over 2,100 interments.

Many don’t realize the importance of this national holiday. We took a small survey of local residents and most of the younger people had little or no idea of what Memorial Day means.

Memorial Day was established May 5, 1868, by General John A. Logan, leader of the Grand Army of the Republic, to honor Civil War soldiers. The holiday was originally called Decoration Day, it was meant to decorate the graves of soldiers with flowers and flags. Over time, it evolved to honor all US military personnel who died in service, and the name shifted to Memorial Day. In 1971, it became a federal holiday, observed on the last Monday in May, allowing us to honor the fallen by living with purpose, gratitude, and respect, while paying tribute for their sacrifice. By doing so we share their stories, visit them, or offer a simple “thank you.”

We should also support veterans’ organizations, by donating, volunteering, or spreading awareness of the true meaning behind the holiday.

The history of our freedom dates back to the Revolutionary War from 1775 to 1778 when 4,435 occurred in the initial fight for our freedom. It didn’t stop there and is ongoing to this day. Following that conflict was the War of 1812-1814 with 2,260 deaths, this was a conflict between the U.S. and British Empire causing the burning of Washington, D.C. and the battle of New Orleans. Then came the Mexican war from 1846-1848 with 13,283 deaths. Thirteen years later was the Civil War that resulted in 364,511 union deaths alone.

The Spanish/American war resulted in 2,446 deaths. In just over one year World War I 1917-1918 had 116,516 deaths. World War II resulted in America’s largest loss of life at war with 405,399 deaths from 1941-1946. The Korean War from 1950-1953 left 36,574 dead. Then from 1964-1973 58,220 soldiers lost their lives in the Vietnam War.

The Persian Gulf War from 1990-1991 had 383 deaths, and there have been 2,456 lost in Afghanistan from 2001-2011. In Iraq from 2003-2011 there were 4,418 military deaths.

Total accounted for deaths in all wars are over 1.3 million. That alone gives every one of us someone to mourn for. Tracing back through time it is fair to say that all Americans suffered a death in their related history. These numbers are based on data from the Defense Casualty Analysis System (DCAS) and the U.S. Department of Defense and the Costs of War Project.

These listed deaths do not account for the thousands of war related mental and physical deaths that ultimately took the lives of war torn soldiers who returned home. So beyond barbecues, family gatherings, giant store sales and promotions, let’s not turn to fireworks and parties as the reason for the three day holiday. Sure we can gather and enjoy our families and friends, however the real meaning of the day is honoring our lost loved ones and making sure their memories live on.